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
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne until just shy of package timing so it is al dente then reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the pasta.
- Season chicken or shrimp with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning then heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet and sear the protein until cooked through then remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet add remaining olive oil and butter then sauté sliced bell peppers and minced garlic for three to four minutes until softened.
- Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and toast the spices for about thirty seconds then pour in the heavy cream and simmer gently.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce turns creamy then add cooked pasta and the seared chicken or shrimp and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper then garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and a squeeze of lime and serve hot.
Notes
Brown the protein well for depth of flavor. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best results. Adjust heat levels gradually and finish with lime juice for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg