This Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta is a mouthwatering dish that combines creamy flavors with a spicy kick. With just 25 minutes of preparation time, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner without the hassle.
Indulge in the combination of juicy chicken and succulent shrimp enveloped in a rich and creamy sauce with a Cajun twist. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner after a busy day. Don’t be skeptical about the inclusion of both shrimp and chicken in one pasta dish; they complement each other perfectly, creating the ultimate protein-packed meal.
Key Takeaways
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta
- Super Creamy and Flavorful: The Cajun-style flavors blend beautifully with the creamy sauce, providing a satisfying taste experience.
- Ready in 25 Minutes: Forget about waiting for takeout; you can whip up a restaurant-worthy pasta dish in no time.
- Highly Customizable: Add your own personal touch by incorporating tomato paste, spinach, or any other veggies that tickle your taste buds.
The Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Pasta
To prepare this scrumptious dish, gather the following ingredients:
- Olive oil + butter: The combination of these two ingredients imparts a high smoking point and a creamy texture to the dish.
- Shrimp: Opt for peeled and deveined raw shrimp or thawed frozen shrimp (remember to pat dry before coating with Cajun seasoning).
- Chicken: Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces for even cooking, or use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an extra burst of flavor.
- Cajun seasoning: Use store-bought or make your own blend with spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
- Garlic: Freshly chopped garlic adds an aromatic touch to creamy pasta sauces.
- White wine: Choose a dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, or substitute with chicken stock if preferred.
- Grated parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan adds a delightful richness to the dish.
- Pasta: Fettucine or linguine are perfect options, but feel free to use any short pasta variety like penne.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Remember to reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Coat the shrimp and chicken with Cajun seasoning.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a pan, then cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes, followed by the chicken for 5-6 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp and chicken from the pan.
- Add the remaining butter and garlic to the pan, then deglaze with the white wine and add the remaining Cajun seasoning.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream, allowing it to thicken for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the grated parmesan.
- Return the cooked shrimp and chicken to the pan, combining with the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing well to coat it with the sauce.
- Season to taste and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- You can use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken. Simply follow the instructions for the shrimp, then add the shredded rotisserie chicken at the end.
- This pasta is best served immediately and is not recommended for reheating.
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, add dried chili flakes along with the garlic.
- If the pasta looks dry, incorporate some of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
If you enjoyed this Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta, you might also like some of our other creamy pasta recipes:
- Creamy Rasta Pasta Recipe
- Creamy Tomato Spinach Pasta
- Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Gruyere Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta
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