Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken (Printer-Friendly Version)

Tender chicken in creamy cajun-spiced tomato sauce served over pasta for a bold flavorful dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta and Sauce

01 - 7 ounces rigatoni pasta
02 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce
03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water
05 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Chicken and Marinade

06 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 4 thin pieces
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 onion, sliced
11 - 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced

→ Cooking Fats and Garnishes

12 - 1 tablespoon butter
13 - Olive oil, for frying
14 - Chili flakes, optional
15 - Fresh parsley, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine chicken slices, olive oil, and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
02 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until one minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken pieces for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove half the chicken and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add butter. Sauté sliced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, then stir in sliced red bell pepper.
05 - Add tomato sauce, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and remaining Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
06 - Add cooked pasta and half of the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir gently and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese and taste to adjust seasoning.
07 - Serve pasta topped with the remaining chicken pieces. Garnish with chili flakes and fresh parsley as desired.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to intensify heat or increase chili flakes for garnish.
02 - Serve immediately for best flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days.
03 - Homemade Cajun seasoning enhances control over spice and salt levels.

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