Direct answer: Season chicken with Cajun spices, brown it with bell peppers, then toss with pasta, cream cheese, pasta water and lemon until the sauce coats everything.
Creamy Cajun chicken pasta is a reliable spicy comfort dinner. Bell peppers add sweetness, Cajun seasoning adds heat and colour, and a small amount of cream cheese makes the sauce creamy without needing a full pot of cream.
Serves 2 to 4, depending on sides. Time: about 20 to 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 200g pasta
- 350g chicken breast or thigh, sliced
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 80g cream cheese
- 1/2 mug reserved pasta water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper
- Spring onion or parsley, optional
Method
- Cook the pasta and reserve a mug of the cooking water.
- Toss the chicken with Cajun seasoning.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan and cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
- Cook the bell pepper for 3 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Return the chicken, add the pasta, cream cheese and a splash of pasta water.
- Toss until creamy. Finish with lemon juice, black pepper and herbs if using.
Notes
Cajun seasoning can be salty, so season carefully. Pasta water loosens the cream cheese into a sauce. If you want more vegetables, add spinach at the end.
Storage: Cool leftovers quickly, keep them covered in the fridge, and eat within 2 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.