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Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta Recipe

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4.3 from 12 reviews

This Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish combining tender chicken thighs, succulent shrimp, and vibrant bell peppers in a spicy Cajun cream sauce tossed with your choice of bite-size pasta. Perfect for a comforting yet zesty weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 pound bite-size pasta (fusilli, bowtie, rotini, penne, etc.)

Protein

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped into ¼-inch pieces (about ¾ cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bell peppers, assorted colors, chopped into ½-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust for desired heat)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Prepare Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp and pat them dry on a paper towel-lined tray. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes until they start turning color, then flip and cook an additional 1 minute until pink and just cooked through. Remove shrimp from pan and place into a medium bowl.
  3. Cook Chicken: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the chicken pieces, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and stir to coat. Cook over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, stir, then continue cooking for 2-3 more minutes until chicken is cooked through and browned.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: To the chicken in the skillet, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and bell peppers. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions soften and vegetables are tender. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to the bowl with the shrimp.
  5. Make Cajun Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the now-empty skillet and add the remaining Cajun seasoning. Whisk together and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce thicken slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the pasta looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce.
  7. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked shrimp, chicken, and vegetables back into the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Gently toss everything together to combine well. Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to make the dish milder or spicier according to your taste.
  • For extra flavor, use a mix of colorful bell peppers.
  • Ensure shrimp is not overcooked to keep it tender and juicy.
  • Reserve pasta water helps in adjusting sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
  • This dish pairs well with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/cajun-chicken-and-shrimp-pasta-recipe/