Description
Creamy cajun shrimp and chicken pasta blends Southern spices with Italian comfort. Rich flavors mingle in this hearty dish you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, sliced
Cooking Liquids:
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare pasta following package guidelines, then drain and reserve.
- Liberally coat shrimp and chicken with zesty Cajun spice blend.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, approximately 375°F, and sear chicken until golden and crisp, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, quickly sauté shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they transform to a vibrant pink color, then set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt butter, then gently sweat minced garlic, diced bell peppers, and chopped tomatoes for approximately 2 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream, chicken broth, and sprinkle Parmesan cheese, paprika, and red pepper flakes into the skillet, creating a rich sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken and shrimp to the creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure thorough coating.
- Fold in reserved pasta, stirring to integrate all components, and allow to warm through for an additional 2 minutes.
- Finish by scattering fresh chopped parsley across the dish and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing the amount based on personal spice tolerance.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to decrease calories.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure perfectly timed execution.
- Gluten-free alternative: use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg