Description
This creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a one-pot wonder full of bold flavor and vibrant color. With tender chicken, bow tie pasta, and sautéed peppers all tossed in a luscious Cajun-spiced cream sauce, it’s the perfect quick-fix meal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- Pasta:
- 8 oz bow tie pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- 2–3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1½ cups chopped bell peppers (red, orange, and yellow preferred)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3 oz cream cheese (light or regular)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Optional: Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Set aside. Chop bell peppers and cooked chicken.
- Sauté Peppers: In a large skillet over medium heat, spray with nonstick spray or add ½ tablespoon oil. Sauté bell peppers for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Make Sauce: In a blender, mix milk, flour, cream cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder until smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add cooked chicken to the sautéed peppers. Lower heat and stir in the cream sauce mixture. Cook for about 1 minute until slightly thickened.
- Add Broth and Pasta: Stir in the chicken broth and bring everything together. Add cooked pasta, mix well, and simmer on low for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parmesan and fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Gluten-free pasta can be substituted for bow tie pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 660mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
