Dairy Free Cajun Chicken Pasta

Total time45 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time30 min

4.7

(24)

Creamy, spicy pasta that skips the dairy entirely — yes, it's absolutely possible, and this dish delivers on every front. Full-fat coconut milk steps in as the base of the sauce, blending with diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and smoked paprika to create something rich and velvety without a drop of cream or butter. Bold Cajun seasoning coats the chicken strips before they get seared to golden perfection, so every bite carries that smoky, peppery kick you'd expect from a classic Cajun-style dish. Colorful slices of red and yellow bell pepper add sweetness and crunch, while the garlic and onion build a savory backbone that makes the whole sauce sing. A smart trick of reserving some pasta cooking water means you can dial in the sauce consistency at the end — loose and glossy, never gluey. This recipe serves four and comes together in one skillet after the pasta is done, which makes cleanup about as painless as dinner gets. Finish with a handful of fresh parsley and you've got a weeknight showstopper that nobody will believe is free of dairy.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the pasta

12 oz penne pasta
1 tsp salt

For the chicken

1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
2 tbsp cajun seasoning, divided
2 tbsp olive oil, divided

For the sauce

1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
½ cup chicken broth
1 tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper, to taste

For serving

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente, tender with a slight resistance at the center. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2
Toss the chicken strips with 1 1/2 tbsp of the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.

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