Description
Delightful Cajun shrimp and chicken pasta brings Southern comfort to dinner tables. Rich flavors combine tender protein with spicy cream sauce, promising a memorable meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (226 g) fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsps chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta following package guidelines; drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Warm olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature until shimmering.
- Generously coat chicken and shrimp with robust Cajun seasoning, ensuring even coverage.
- Sear chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes; transfer from skillet.
- Using the same skillet, quickly cook shrimp until they transform to vibrant pink, about 2-3 minutes per side; remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, introduce remaining butter and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and fragrant.
- Stream heavy cream, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, paprika, and onion powder into the skillet; allow mixture to simmer and slightly thicken for 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until completely melted and sauce reaches smooth consistency.
- Gently fold reserved pasta, previously cooked chicken, and seared shrimp into creamy Cajun sauce, ensuring thorough coating.
- Finish dish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes for added zest; serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing the amount to match personal spice tolerance, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
- Use pre-cooked pasta or quick-cooking varieties to streamline preparation time and simplify the cooking process.
- Select large, fresh shrimp for optimal texture and taste, ensuring they are deveined and properly cleaned before cooking.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, maintaining the creamy consistency while reducing calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg