Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Louisiana Bayou with our Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta. This easy and savory dish brings together tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich Cajun spiced cream sauce all effortlessly prepared in the Instant Pot.
Contents
Why You’ll Love Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Recreate a fan-favorite dish with this easy-to-follow creamy cajun chicken pasta.
- Spice Lovers’ Dream: The Cajun seasoning brings a delightful heat to the chicken pasta.
- Time Saver: The Instant Pot reduces cooking time without compromising on flavor.
Recipe Ingredients
- Penne Pasta: Hold onto the creamy sauce, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Provide a lean protein source and a hearty texture to the dish.
- Cajun Seasoning: The star ingredient that gives this dish its bold and flavorful taste.
- Butter: Used to create a creamy sauce, contributing a velvety texture and a buttery taste.
- Half and Half: Helps to mellow out the spiciness of the Cajun seasoning and creates a delightful contrast of flavors.
- Lemon Zest: Brings a subtle tanginess that cuts through the richness of the sauce, balancing the overall taste.
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Used to enhance the flavors of the dish.
- Tomatoes: Provide a juicy and vibrant element, adding a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce and spicy chicken.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce, enhancing its creaminess and providing a rich and savory taste.
How To Cook Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta?
Here are the steps for cooking this delicious copycat cajun chicken pasta dish.
Step One: Step One: Place the penne pasta in the Instant Pot and fill with enough water to cover the noodles. Close the lid and seal your lid by pushing the valve away from you. Set to high pressure for 8 minutes followed by a quick release. Drain your pasta noodles and iset aside in a separate bowl.
Step Two: In a skillet: You can choose to cook your chicken on the side in the skillet while your pasta is cooking or in the Instant Pot. If you choose this option simply season your chicken with the Cajun seasoning.
Step Three: In The Instant Pot Sliced: In the Instant Pot after you are done cooking your pasta. Set to sauté mode. Add 4 tablespoons of oil. Season with your Cajun seasoning and slice your chicken into strips and sauté. Saute until the inside of your chicken reaches 165°. If you don’t have a thermometer test the chicken is cooked through using a fork.
Step Four: Clean out your pot and turn on saute mode. Add in your butter, half-and-half, lemon zest, pepper, salt. And garlic powder to your pot. Continue to stir until it starts to bubble.
Step Five: Once the sauce is ready add the drained pasta and chicken and combine.
Step Six: Serve your pasta, chicken and zesty sauce in a bowl. It’s delicious! Garnish with diced tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Tips For Nailing Cajun Pasta
Deglaze Your Pot: If you choose to cook the chicken in the Instant Pot, be sure to deglaze the pot and scrape any food particles from the bottom of the pot before cooking the sauce.
Variations
- Add Veggies: Add vegetables such as bell pepper or chopped mushroom to give the dish more variety.
- Add Sausage: Add some smoked sausage or chopped andouille sausage to the mix for an Instant Pot cajun chicken and sausage dish.
- Add Cream Cheese: Add a spoon of cream cheese to make a more creamy cajun chicken pasta.
Substitutions
If you wish to substitute cajun seasoning you may want to opt for the following seasonings: Simply use 2-3 teaspoons of the flavour you pick.
- Paprika or Smoked Paprika
- Onion Powder
- Dried Basil
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Thyme
What To Serve With Cajun Pasta?
- Garlic Bread or Baguette Slices: Enjoy the Cajun Chicken Pasta with some crusty garlic bread or slices of baguette to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Side Salad with a Zesty Dressing: Serve a fresh and crisp side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the richness of the Cajun flavors.
- Roasted Vegetables: Opt for a medley of roasted vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini to add a burst of color and a light, roasted flavor.
- Steamed Asparagus: Keep it simple with steamed asparagus spears, providing a nutritious and vibrant side that complements the bold Cajun spices.
- Cornbread: A classic Southern side, cornbread, pairs well with Cajun dishes, offering a slightly sweet and crumbly texture that contrasts with the creamy pasta.
- Avocado and Black Bean Salad: Create a refreshing avocado and black bean salad with lime dressing to add a cooling element that complements the Cajun heat.
FAQ’S
What Is Half and Half?
Half and Half is a dairy product that consists of equal parts whole milk and cream, with a small amount of sugar. It gets it’s rich taste from having about 10 to 18% butterfat. We use half and half in this recipe. If you can’t find half and half, then simply use 1 1/2 cups of whole milk and 1 1/2 cups of cream.
What Is Cajun Spice Made From?
Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that is commonly used in Cajun cuisine. The spice blend can vary, but generally consists of paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Other ingredients such as ground oregano and thyme may also be added to enhance the flavor of the Cajun seasoning.
What Brands Are Best?
My personal favorite is Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning . I recommend this brand because it’s been around for a long time and they use fresh spices to make their product. You can also make your own homemade Cajun seasoning, which would be way better than anything.
Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 10 oz Penne Pasta
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 4 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- 4 Tablespoons Butter divided
- 3 cups Half and Half
- 1/8 tsp Lemon Zest
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1.5 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Cup Tomatoes diced
- 1 Cup Parmesan cheese Shredded
Instructions
Cook The Pasta:
- Place the penne pasta in the instant pot and fill with enough water to cover the noodles.
- Close the lid and seal your lid by pushing the valve away from you.
- Set to high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Once your cook time is complete, do a quick release by bringing the valve toward you to open the pressure.
- Drain your noodles in place in a separate bowl. Set aside.
Chicken In A skillet:
- You can choose to cook your chicken on the side in the skillet while your pasta is cooking or in the Instant Pot.If you choose this option simply season your chicken with the Cajun seasoning.
Chicken In The Instant Pot:
- In the instant pot after you are done cooking your pasta. Set to sauté mode. Add 4 tablespoons of oil (enough to cover the center of your pot).
- Season with your Cajun seasoning and slice your chicken into strips and sauté (or cook whole, then slice later).
- Cook until the inside of your chicken reaches 165°.
- If you don't have a thermometer test the chicken in cooked through using a fork.
Make The Sauce:
- Continue to keep your instant pot on sauté mode. Add in your butter, half-and-half, lemon zest, pepper, salt.
- And garlic powder to your pot.
- Continue to stir until it starts to bubble and combine with pasta and chicken
- Serve your pasta, chicken and zesty sauce in a bowl.
Notes
Nutrition
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
If you like this creamy cajun pasta then be sure to check out the following Instant Pot Recipes.
