1990s-present - American family-restaurant cooks adapting Cajun seasoning to creamy pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Name: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 12 ounces fettuccine or penne; 1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced; 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; Salt and black pepper, to taste; Sliced green onions, optional

Cajun chicken pasta is American fusion in family-restaurant form. It borrows the spice profile and blackening language popularized by Cajun restaurant cooking, then folds it into creamy pasta for a 1990s-style chain and mall-restaurant favorite.

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Difficulty

Easy

Prep time

20 minutes

Cook time

25 minutes

Total time

45 minutes

Servings

4 servings

Region

United States family restaurants and suburban kitchens

Era introduced

1990s-present

Introduced by

American family-restaurant cooks adapting Cajun seasoning to creamy pasta

Recipe tools

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The Story

This dish is not traditional Cajun food; it is a chain-era American adaptation. After blackened fish and Cajun seasoning entered the national imagination, restaurants used that flavor profile on chicken, pasta, cream sauces, and skillet dishes. The result is spicy, creamy, colorful, and quick enough for a weeknight.

Ingredients

12 ounces fettuccine or penne
1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sliced green onions, optional

Equipment

Large pot
Skillet
Cutting board
Chef's knife
Mixing bowl
Spatula
Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

Cook pasta in salted water until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
Season chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning.
Heat oil in a large skillet and brown chicken until cooked through.
Remove chicken to a plate.
Cook bell peppers in the skillet until softened.
Add garlic and remaining Cajun seasoning.
Stir in cream and broth and simmer briefly.
Add Parmesan, pasta, and chicken.
Loosen with pasta water if needed and season to taste.
Top with green onions if using.

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Cajun Chicken Pasta

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The Story

Ingredients

Equipment

Directions

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