Description
How to make creamy Cajun buffalo chicken pasta with tender chicken, bold spices and rich cream sauce that brings restaurant flavors to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Creamy Buffalo Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Everything: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. Meanwhile, mix all Cajun seasonings in a bowl and coat chicken pieces evenly.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Build Sauce: In same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in buffalo sauce and cook 1 minute more.
- Add Cream: Slowly pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, whisking constantly. Bring to gentle simmer and cook 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring frequently to prevent curdling.
- Finish Sauce: Remove from heat and whisk in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should coat a spoon nicely.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed for perfect consistency. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Don’t let the cream sauce boil or it will curdle and break.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency perfectly.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount to your preferred heat level.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day after flavors meld.
- Serve immediately while the sauce is creamy and hot.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 34g