This Creamy Cajun Chicken dish is flavorful and delicious. It is made by cooking chicken fillets and capsicum peppers in a rich, creamy sauce. It can be made in 30 minutes and served as dinner with rice or potatoes.
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If one meal reigns supreme in the comfort food category, it’s this creamy Cajun chicken dish. A perfect balance of bold, savory spices, silky textures, fresh capsicum peppers, and tender, spicy chicken makes it an unbeatable weeknight winner.
This easy, creamy chicken recipe delivers a taste of Louisiana right to your kitchen without the fuss or an overwhelming list of ingredients. Whether cooking for family night, looking to impress, or simply treating yourself, this dish is guaranteed to please every palate.
You may also enjoy Cajun Salmon Recipe, Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta, and Cajun Shrimp Fajita.
Why This Recipe Works
- Everything is done in one pan with minimal cleanup and a 30-minute cooking time, perfect for busy nights.
- Marinating the chicken in Cajun seasoning and searing it creates a deep flavor before combining it with a creamy, garlicky sauce.
- The creamy Cajun chicken recipe is easy, yet it yields a deep, intricate flavor that's as good as any restaurant rendition.
- You drive the spice, reduce Cajun seasoning for less heat, or add more cayenne/red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Chicken Breasts: Cut lengthwise in half for thinner cutlets so they cook evenly and take in more flavor while marinating.
- Cajun Seasoning: This hearty spice blend adds a smoky, spicy Southern taste to the sauce and marinade. Use sodium-free Cajun seasoning to avoid adding too much salt to the dish.
- Heavy Cream adds the sauce's rich, silky texture. Simmer gently to avoid curdling and let the flavors come together. Select full-fat cream for the best consistency.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated and added near the end to thicken the sauce and intensify the flavor. Use freshly grated for the best melt and flavor.
Tips and Substitutions
- Serving: Penne and fettuccine work great because they absorb the creamy Cajun chicken sauce, giving you that full Cajun flavor. If you prefer rice, jasmine or long-grain rice will absorb all that delicious sauce. It may seem like a lot of creaminess, but it’s delicious. You won’t want to leave a single bite behind.
- Add-ins: Spinach or mushrooms are popular additions. For a hearty twist, you can also add shrimp and sliced sausage to the creamy Cajun chicken.
- Cheese: A sprinkle of mozzarella or cheddar can make it richer.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken
- Begin by cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make thinner cutlets.
- In the same bowl, add Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, garlic powder, paprika, and olive oil.
- Rub the mixture well into the chicken so each piece is evenly coated in flavor. Marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, long enough for the seasoning to soak in.
- Add olive oil to a big skillet and heat over medium. When hot, add the chicken pieces marinated in the pan and brown them 5–7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and done.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a plate when cooked.
- If necessary, add oil to the same pan, then add the minced garlic cloves. Stir them on low to medium heat for approximately 1–2 minutes until they are fragrant but not browned.
- Next, add capsicum peppers to a pan and stir.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and stir on low heat.
- Add a dash of Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt to taste, and a sprinkle of paprika. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then turn the heat down and stir. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir. Let the sauce simmer for an additional 1–2 minutes. The cheese will melt and thicken the sauce into a rich, creamy base.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, pushing each piece into the rich sauce.
- Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavors to blend and the chicken to warm through.
13. Top the dish with chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish. Serve your creamy Cajun chicken with Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes or plain white rice.
Recipe FAQs
It pairs great with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to scoop up the sauce.
Yes. Packaged is okay, but be mindful of the sodium and chilli content.
Yes, you can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option; it still yields a rich, full-flavored sauce.
Place leftover creamy Cajun chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days. Reheat the dish in a microwave before serving.
More Delicious Cajun Recipes
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Creamy Cajun Chicken
Equipment
- 1 chopping board
- 1 Chefs knife
- Pan
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ red capsicum pepper chopped
- ½ yellow capsicum pepper chopped
- ½ green capsicum pepper chopped
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon of paprika
- ¼ cup of grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthways. Add the chicken slices, cajun seasoning, salt, paprika, garlic powder and a splash of oil to a bowl and rub the ingredients into the chicken. Let it marinate for atleast 15 minutes in the fridge.
- Heat a splash of olive oil in a pan. Add the chicken breasts and cook on bothe sides for 5-7 minutes or until done. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Then, add more oil if necessary and add the garlic cloves and sitr on low to medium for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the peppers to the pan, cook and stir for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream into the pan. Add cajun seasoning, salt to taste, paprika. Bring to a boil.
- Then, add grated parmesan to the sauce and stir on low heat for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Add the chicken slices back into the pan and cook on low for another 5 minutes, coating the chicken with the sauce.
- Once done, garnish the chicken with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Add-ins: Spinach or mushrooms make excellent add-ins, while shrimp or sliced sausage offer a hearty twist.
- Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella or cheddar on top for a richer, more comforting dish.
Pauline
This recipe was so simple, thanks for sharing. The chicken tasted delicious. I will definitely do this again.
Jen Sim
Glad you enjoyed it!