Description
A delightful dish that combines tender penne pasta with a creamy, spicy sauce and your choice of juicy chicken or succulent shrimp, enhanced by Cajun spices and fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast or shrimp (sliced or peeled/deveined)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Protein: Season chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Sear in a skillet with olive oil until cooked through, then set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add olive oil and butter. Sauté the sliced bell peppers and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes.
- Build the Sauce: Add the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Toast the spices for 30 seconds, then pour in the heavy cream and stir in Parmesan until creamy.
- Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta and cooked protein into the sauce, mixing until well coated. Adjust the thickness with reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Garnish and Serve: Adjust seasoning as needed, then garnish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime before serving.
Notes
For a vegan version, substitute chicken or shrimp with tofu and use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg