Description
Cajun Chicken Skillet delivers a spicy southern comfort right to your dinner table, packed with bold flavors that dance across your palate. Creamy, zesty sauce and tender chicken make this quick weeknight meal a total crowd-pleaser your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
Supporting Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Thoroughly pat 2 lbs chicken breasts with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture.
- Generously coat chicken with 2 tbsp cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until oil shimmers and looks glossy.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into hot skillet, cooking 5-6 minutes until golden brown on first side.
- Flip chicken and cook additional 5-6 minutes, ensuring exterior develops a beautiful caramelized crust.
- Transfer chicken to a clean plate, keeping skillet heated at medium temperature.
- Mince 4 cloves of garlic and add to same skillet, stirring 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth into skillet, scraping pan bottom to release flavorful browned bits.
- Whisk in ½ cup parmesan cheese, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried thyme until sauce starts thickening.
- Gently return chicken to skillet, spooning creamy sauce over each piece to coat thoroughly.
- Reduce heat and simmer 3-4 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped parsley over dish for fresh garnish.
- Allow chicken to rest 2-3 minutes before serving, letting sauce settle and slightly cool.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for the best flavor development and even heat distribution.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in moisture.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee it reaches 165°F without overcooking.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt and reduce the parmesan quantity.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 462 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 717 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 137 mg