Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta – Dairy Free!
Indulge in a creamy, flavorful Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta that’s both dairy-free and gluten-free! This vibrant dish combines zesty Cajun spices with a luscious cashew sauce, creating a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings. In just 35 minutes, you can whip up this crowd-pleaser that serves six and is sure to impress family and friends. Whether you’re enjoying it as is or customizing with extra veggies or proteins, this recipe is a delightful twist on classic comfort food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 1 1/2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable broth works well)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 small yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1/2 large red pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 large yellow or orange pepper (thinly sliced)
- 3 cloves of garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch or two of cayenne (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning instead of onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, and thyme
- Parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Soak cashews in boiling water for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Cook gluten-free pasta according to package instructions; reserve some cooking water before draining.
- Mix spices together in a small bowl.
- Sauté chicken in olive oil until browned; set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and bell peppers until tender. Add garlic and tomato paste, cooking briefly.
- Blend soaked cashews with broth, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine cooked pasta, chicken, vegetables, and cashew cream sauce in the skillet; stir until heated through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg