Drunken Shrimp or Chicken or Crawfish Pasta
Indulge in the rich, bold flavors of our Drunken Shrimp, Chicken, or Crawfish Pasta, a luscious Cajun-inspired dish that’s perfect for seafood or poultry lovers. This recipe brings together your protein of choice—shrimp, chicken, or crawfish—seasoned with zesty Cajun spices and simmered in a velvety sauce made from dry white wine, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Smoked paprika adds depth, while the optional sprinkle of green onions and fresh parsley delivers a pop of color and freshness. Tossed with tender al dente pasta, this meal is a comforting yet sophisticated option for busy weeknights or dinner parties alike. Bursting with smoky, creamy, and savory notes, this restaurant-quality pasta dish offers a true Louisiana-style feast in under 45 minutes! Keywords: Cajun pasta, drunken shrimp pasta, creamy crawfish pasta, chicken Cajun pasta recipe, easy weeknight pasta.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Protein (shrimp, chicken breast, or crawfish)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 4 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup White wine (dry, such as Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 teaspoons Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 12 ounces Pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 Green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Start by preparing your protein of choice. If using shrimp, peel and devein. If using chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces. If using crawfish, ensure they are already cooked and shelled.
Season the protein generously with Cajun seasoning and set aside.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Sear the protein until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side for shrimp, 6-8 minutes total for chicken, or 2-3 minutes for pre-cooked crawfish. Remove the protein from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the wine to reduce by half, about 3-5 minutes.
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook gently, stirring frequently, until the sauce is rich and creamy, about 5 minutes.
Return the cooked protein to the skillet along with any juices that have accumulated. Toss to coat in the sauce.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed with more Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper.
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley and green onions, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2816 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 160.3 g | 206% | |
| Saturated Fat | 83.6 g | 418% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1268 mg | 423% | |
| Sodium | 8667 mg | 377% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 126.2 g | 46% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.0 g | 39% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.9 g | ||
| Protein | 162.7 g | 325% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1145 mg | 88% | |
| Iron | 6.2 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 1651 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
