Print

Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta – Dairy Free Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 150 reviews

This dairy-free Cashew Cream Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, creamy dish that combines tender chicken with a rich cashew-based sauce and vibrant bell peppers. Perfect for those seeking a gluten-free and dairy-free meal without sacrificing taste, this recipe uses a blend of Cajun spices and nutritional yeast to create a comforting, smoky pasta that’s both hearty and healthful.

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 kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Chicken and Vegetables

  • 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 bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 large yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Pinch or two of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • OR 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (instead of the individual spices)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Pasta

  • 12 ounces gluten-free pasta

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Soak Cashews: In a heatproof bowl, cover raw cashews with just-boiled water and let soak for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour. For a quicker option, simmer cashews on the stove for about 10 minutes until pale and plump.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gluten-free pasta according to package instructions. Reserve about 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne if using, or simply use Cajun seasoning as a substitute.
  4. Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Sprinkle chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning mixture. Add chicken to the skillet and cook, turning to brown all sides and ensure it is cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  5. Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet along with diced onion, sliced bell peppers, and chopped garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of water to loosen any browned bits and lower heat slightly.
  6. Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in tomato paste and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently until the spices are fragrant and tomato paste darkens slightly. Remove skillet from heat while you prepare the sauce.
  7. Prepare Cashew Cream Sauce: Drain soaked cashews and place them in a blender with broth, nutritional yeast, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Blend on high for at least one minute until completely smooth and creamy.
  8. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Return skillet to medium-low heat. Add cooked pasta, chicken, and cashew cream sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  9. Adjust Sauce Consistency: Allow the sauce to simmer for 1-2 minutes until it coats the chicken and pasta. Gradually add reserved pasta water to thin the sauce to your desired consistency. Additional broth or water can be used if more liquid is needed. More liquid will yield a softer, creamier sauce.
  10. Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

  • Soaking cashews overnight can improve creaminess but 30 minutes is sufficient for this recipe.
  • Using Cajun seasoning simplifies the spice step, but the individual spice blend provides more control over flavor.
  • For a spicier dish, increase the cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning according to preference.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully; it’s essential for adjusting the sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free when using gluten-free pasta and dairy-free due to the cashew cream.

Keywords: Cashew Cream, Cajun Chicken, Dairy Free Pasta, Gluten Free Pasta, Creamy Cajun Chicken, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthy Chicken Pasta

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/cashew-cream-cajun-chicken-pasta-dairy-free-recipe/