Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta
This creamy Cajun shrimp and chicken pasta is a perfect blend of bold flavors, featuring juicy shrimp, tender chicken, and a rich, cheesy sauce that’ll have you coming back for more. Spicy, creamy, and oh-so-delicious!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta of choice)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season shrimp and chicken with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and cook the shrimp until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, then add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream, milk, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Mix well until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For an extra spicy kick, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add more red pepper flakes.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can substitute the cream with half-and-half or a combination of milk and a little bit of cornstarch.
- Any type of short pasta can work, but rotini holds the sauce beautifully.
- Feel free to swap out the chicken for another protein like sausage or even a plant-based option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 175mg