Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store‑bought or homemade)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest, then slice.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic (and onion or bell peppers if using) until fragrant.
- Reduce heat and pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce.
- Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version.
- Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun‑dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- To increase heat, add cayenne or hot sauce.
- Replace heavy cream with half‑and‑half for a lighter sauce.
- A splash of lemon juice brightens the sauce just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg