Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta delivers bold Southern flavors with rich, spicy notes. Hearty ingredients and zesty seasonings combine for a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, sliced
- 0.5 pound (227 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package guidelines, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Warm olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts and becomes fragrant.
- Generously coat chicken with Cajun seasoning, then sear until golden brown and completely cooked through. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, quickly sauté shrimp seasoned with remaining Cajun spice until they turn vibrant pink and curl slightly. Remove and set aside.
- Introduce minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes into the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until vegetables soften and release their aromatic flavors.
- Stream chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, whisking to create a smooth, unified sauce. Allow mixture to gently simmer for 3-4 minutes, reducing slightly.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Continue simmering until sauce thickens and develops a rich, creamy consistency.
- Reunite cooked pasta, seared chicken, and seasoned shrimp with the sauce, carefully tossing to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped green onions and parsley over the dish for a bright, fresh garnish before serving immediately.
Notes
- Optimize Cajun seasoning blend by mixing your own fresh spices for more vibrant flavor profiles.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for lighter, dairy-free alternatives that maintain creamy texture.
- Control spice levels by gradually adding Cajun seasoning and tasting throughout cooking process to customize heat intensity.
- Choose shell-on shrimp for enhanced seafood flavor, or select pre-peeled for quicker preparation convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg