Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb chicken breast (sliced) or shrimp (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 tsp cayenne pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Sear in a skillet with olive oil until cooked through; set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté bell peppers and garlic for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes; toast for about 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and simmer while stirring in Parmesan until creamy.
- Combine cooked penne and protein back into the sauce; add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen consistency.
- Adjust seasoning if needed, garnish with parsley or cilantro, and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (300g)
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg