Rich, creamy, and bursting with bold Cajun flavors, this Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Juicy shrimp, tender chicken, and pasta are tossed in a smoky-spiced cream sauce for a weeknight dinner or special-occasion showstopper.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini (or penne, bowtie, or any short pasta)
Protein
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
Cajun Cream Sauce
- 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
Extra Flavor & Garnish
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Cook the Shrimp
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter.
- Toss shrimp with remaining Cajun seasoning and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
4. Make the Sauce
- Melt remaining butter, sauté garlic for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream and milk, whisking to combine.
- Stir in Parmesan and cheddar until melted and smooth.
5. Add Seasonings
- Mix in smoked paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt. Simmer 3–4 minutes to thicken.
6. Combine & Serve
- Toss pasta in the sauce. Add chicken and shrimp, mixing until coated.
- Adjust thickness with pasta water if needed.
- Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook shrimp—remove as soon as they turn pink.
- Use fresh-grated cheese for the smoothest sauce.
- Adjust spice by reducing or adding red pepper flakes.
- Reserve pasta water to control sauce consistency.
Nutritional Info (per serving, 4 servings)
Calories: ~550 | Protein: 40g | Carbs: 35g | Fat: 30g
This creamy Cajun pasta delivers a spicy kick, cheesy comfort, and irresistible seafood-meets-chicken flavor. It’s a restaurant-quality dish you can whip up in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights when you still want something indulgent.