Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful dish combining tender chicken, crispy smoked turkey bacon, and vibrant Cajun spices enveloped in a smooth, plant-based cheese sauce. Served over perfectly cooked pasta with sautéed bell peppers and onions, this Southern-inspired meal delivers bold spice and comforting creaminess, ideal for a hearty weeknight dinner or sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 strips smoked turkey bacon
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup plant-based cream or milk alternative
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based)
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- ¼ tsp natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the protein: Season the chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat a pan and cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and slice into strips. In the same pan, crisp the smoked turkey bacon until the edges are crunchy. Set both aside.
- Cook the pasta and sauté vegetables: Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain, reserving some cooking water. While the pasta cooks, sauté chopped bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic in the bacon fat left in the pan until soft and fragrant.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: Add the plant-based cream or milk alternative to the vegetables. Stir in plant-based cheese (plant-based) until melted and smooth. Mix in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), and natural gelling agent. Adjust seasoning with salt and additional Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Combine everything: Return sliced chicken and smoked turkey bacon to the pan. Add the drained pasta and toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen and coat the sauce evenly over the pasta.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, spicy flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh spices such as freshly ground paprika and freshly ground pepper for maximum Cajun flavor.
- Reserve pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Cook chicken and smoked turkey bacon in batches if needed to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Simmer the sauce gently to maintain a smooth texture and prevent separation.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preferred heat level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, plant-based cheese sauce, smoked turkey bacon, Southern recipe, spicy pasta, weeknight dinner
