Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta
A delightful one-pot meal combining shrimp, chicken, and pasta in a rich and creamy Cajun sauce, perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Pasta and Proteins
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta of choice)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
Cajun Seasoning and Spices
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Preparing the Proteins
- Season shrimp and chicken with 1 tablespoon of 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.
Making the Sauce
- 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.
Combining
- 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
Feel free to add in your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor. For a lighter dish, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your spice preference.