Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken in a creamy tomato sauce with bold cajun spices, paired with perfectly cooked pasta.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Pasta and Sauce

01 - 7 ounces rigatoni or preferred pasta
02 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup reserved pasta 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 for marinating
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 - Additional olive oil for frying
14 - Chili flakes, optional
15 - Fresh parsley, optional

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Combine chicken slices, olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
02 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until 1 minute before al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain remaining water.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken pieces 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove half the chicken for plating.
04 - In the same skillet, add butter and sauté sliced onion and minced garlic until fragrant. Add sliced red bell pepper and cook briefly.
05 - Add tomato sauce, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and remaining 1/2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning to the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens.
06 - Add cooked pasta and half the cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Incorporate Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Plate the pasta mixture and top with the remaining chicken pieces. Optionally garnish with chili flakes and fresh parsley before serving.

# Additional Suggestions:

01 - To increase spiciness, add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the sauce or sprinkle extra chili flakes when serving.
02 - For best flavor, serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
03 - Using homemade Cajun seasoning allows control over spice intensity and salt content.

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