Description
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta promises a spicy Southern culinary adventure that dances with bold flavors. Indulgent layers of tender proteins and rich sauce will transport diners straight to Louisiana’s heart, satisfying cravings with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, diced
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Seasoning:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted water pot to a rolling boil and cook pasta until tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve.
- Generously coat shrimp and chicken with Cajun seasoning, ensuring complete coverage.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, searing chicken pieces until achieving a golden exterior and thorough internal cooking, roughly 5-6 minutes. Transfer protein to a holding plate.
- Within the same skillet, melt butter and carefully sauté shrimp until transforming to a vibrant pink and translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set alongside chicken.
- Reduce skillet temperature to medium-low, introducing minced garlic and allowing aromatic development for 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate heavy cream, milk, Parmesan, cheddar, smoked paprika, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Whisk continuously until sauce reaches a velvety, uniform consistency.
- Gently fold pasta, chicken, and shrimp into the creamy sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating.
- Fine-tune flavor profile with additional salt and red pepper flakes according to preference.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the dish and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Choose low-sodium Cajun seasoning to control salt levels for health-conscious diners.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier version without sacrificing creaminess.
- Toast Cajun spices briefly in the skillet before adding proteins to enhance their deep, complex flavor profile.
- Cook seafood and chicken separately to prevent cross-contamination and ensure perfect doneness for each protein type.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg