Description
A rich, zesty dish blending tender chicken breast, al dente pasta, and bold cajun seasoning in a velvety cream sauce. Perfect for hearty, satisfying meals.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken breast
12 oz fresh pasta (rotini or bowtie recommended)
1 cup heavy cream (or oat milk for non-dairy)
1 tbsp cajun seasoning (plus ½ tsp cayenne optional)
Butter (unsalted, for sautéing)
Thyme (fresh or dried, 1 tsp)
Green onions (handful, for garnish)
Oil (for seasoning chicken) (optional)
Parmesan cheese (½ cup, optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken breasts with oil, salt, and half the cajun seasoning.
Roast chicken for 18 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cut into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet, sauté garlic until golden. Add remaining cajun seasoning and cayenne (if using).
Stir in cream (tempered with 1 tbsp pasta water if needed) and simmer for 5 minutes. Add cooked chicken and thyme.
Cook fresh pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
Combine cooked pasta in skillet with chicken-cream mixture. Toss for 3 minutes until sauce clings to pasta. Add pasta water if needed to loosen.
Transfer to plates and top with chopped green onions and Parmesan (if using).
Notes
Use room-temperature cream to prevent curdling. Let pasta cool slightly before tossing. Add ½ cup grated Parmesan for richness. Garnish with parsley for contrast. Avoid oversalting green onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg