Description

A creamy dairy-free cashew cream Cajun chicken pasta that combines tender chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and perfectly cooked gluten-free pasta in a rich, flavorful sauce made from soaked cashews and a homemade Cajun spice blend. This hearty yet healthy dish is perfect for those seeking a gluten-free, dairy-free meal packed with bold spices and creamy texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Cashew Cream

3/4 cup raw cashews
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Pasta and Chicken

12 ounces gluten free pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces

Vegetables and Seasonings

1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
1/2 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 large yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch or two cayenne pepper (optional)
OR 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (as substitute for onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, and thyme)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
Parsley, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Soak Cashews: Place the raw cashews in a heatproof bowl and cover with just boiled water. Let soak for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour. For a quicker option, simmer the cashews on the stovetop for about 10 minutes until pale and plump.
Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
Prepare Cajun Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix well. Alternatively, use 2 tablespoons of pre-made Cajun seasoning instead.
Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken pieces and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the Cajun spice mix. Cook the chicken, turning frequently to brown all sides, until fully cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add diced onion, sliced red and yellow/orange peppers, and chopped garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender. If the bottom of the skillet gets too dark or sticky, add a tablespoon or two of water and reduce the heat slightly to deglaze and prevent burning.
Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook for another minute, stirring frequently, allowing the tomato paste to darken and the spices to become aromatic. Remove the skillet from heat.
Make Cashew Cream Sauce: Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a blender along with the broth, nutritional yeast, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Blend on high for at least one minute until the mixture becomes very smooth and creamy.
Combine and Simmer: Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and cashew cream sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. Add the reserved pasta water gradually to reach the desired sauce consistency. Additional broth or water can be used if needed for a softer, creamier sauce.
Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Garnish with fresh parsley if using and serve immediately.

Notes

Soaking cashews is essential to create a smooth, creamy sauce. If short on time, simmering works as a quick alternative.
Use gluten-free pasta to keep this recipe gluten-free.
The Cajun seasoning can be homemade using the listed dried herbs and spices or store-bought for convenience.
Adding reserved pasta water helps to achieve the perfect sauce consistency without thinning out the flavor.
This dish is naturally dairy-free and can be made vegan by substituting chicken with firm tofu or plant-based protein and using vegetable broth.
For less heat, omit cayenne pepper or reduce the amount used.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, cashew cream pasta, dairy free pasta, gluten free pasta recipe, healthy chicken pasta, dairy free sauce, cashew sauce pasta