Description
Cajun Pasta Be Poppin’ is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken or shrimp sautéed with colorful bell peppers and onions, all tossed in a creamy, spicy Cajun sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe combines the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning with a rich Parmesan cream sauce and your choice of fettuccine or penne pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or shrimp, cut into bite-sized pieces
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season and Cook Protein: Toss the chicken or shrimp pieces with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned protein to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the protein from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with the sliced red onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta and the chicken or shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Season and Serve: Taste the pasta and season with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper as desired. Garnish with chopped parsley if using, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Make the dish spicier by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use grilled chicken instead of sautéed.
- The dish can be made with either chicken or shrimp depending on preference or availability.
- To keep the pasta from sticking, toss it with a little olive oil after draining.
