Cajun Chicken Pasta Bell Peppers (Printable)
Tender chicken and colorful bell peppers tossed with creamy pasta and bold Cajun spices for a lively meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), sliced into strips
02 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Pasta & Sauce
09 - 12 oz fettuccine or linguine
10 - 1 tablespoon butter
11 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
12 - 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/3 cup chicken broth
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
→ Garnish
17 - Fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Extra Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated on all sides.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter. Add bell peppers and red onion, sautéing for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to medium.
06 - Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely and sauce becomes smooth. If too thick, add reserved pasta water a small amount at a time.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated with sauce. Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and chili flakes as desired.
08 - Plate immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The Cajun seasoning creates this incredible crust on the chicken that you can actually taste in every bite
- Its one of those rare pasta dishes that feels fancy enough for company but comes together in under 40 minutes
02 -
- Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken or it will steam instead of getting that beautiful caramelized crust
- The pasta water trick is absolute magic if your sauce breaks or gets too thick
03 -
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after slicing so the seasoning really penetrates the meat
- Grate your Parmesan fresh from a block because pre shredded cheese has anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting