Description
This Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta is a rich, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and a creamy Cajun-spiced sauce. With a perfect balance of heat and creaminess, this pasta will quickly become a favorite on your dinner table. It’s indulgent, satisfying, and packed with bold flavors!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Shrimp:
- 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into strips or bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 lb Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning (divided)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for cooking)
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
For the Creamy Sauce and Pasta:
- 8 oz Pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1 small Onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Fresh Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Season the Chicken and Shrimp:
- Season both the chicken pieces and shrimp with 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Shrimp:
- In the same skillet, add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque (about 2-3 minutes per side). Remove from the skillet and set aside with the chicken.
- Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir in the heavy cream, paprika, the remaining 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Finish the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce.
- Add the cooked chicken, shrimp, and pasta into the sauce, tossing to coat everything in the creamy mixture. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to thin it out to your liking.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken with chicken thighs for a more tender option.
- If you like extra spice, add more Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- For a lighter version, you can replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce may be less rich.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 180mg