Creamy Sweet Spicy Cajun Chicken (Print-Friendly Version)

Chicken, peppers, and pasta tossed in a bold sweet-spicy Cajun cream sauce for robust character.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - Salt, to taste
04 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
05 - Optional pinch of red pepper flakes

→ Pantry essentials

06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
08 - 1 tablespoon honey

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
10 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta and dairy

12 - 12 ounces dried pasta, such as penne or rigatoni
13 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add chopped onion and sliced red bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking another 30 seconds until aromatic.
04 - Drizzle in honey, then pour in heavy cream. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer. Let cook 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens lightly.
05 - Add grated Parmesan and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve desired texture.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss thoroughly to ensure pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the sauce.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional Cajun seasoning or honey if desired. Serve at once, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Reserving some pasta cooking water allows for easy adjustment of the sauce consistency at the end.

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