Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet (High Protein, Low Carb)

March 11, 2025

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Published: Mar 11, 2025 by Cathy Chenard · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet is a high-protein, low-carb one-pan meal with pan-fried chicken in a garlicky Cajun cream sauce, ready in 25 minutes.

Pan-fried creamy cajun chicken breasts with bell peppers and onion.

If you love bold flavors, this Cajun Chicken Skillet is rich, creamy and a little spicy. Pan-fried chicken breasts are coated in Cajun seasoning, then cooked in a garlicky cream sauce with bell pepper, red onion and Parmesan for extra flavor.

Not only is this dish delicious, but it’s also high in protein and low in carbs. Each serving packs over 46 grams of protein. To make it high in protein, we use lean chicken breasts, a little Parmesan, just enough heavy cream for richness, and plenty of fresh veggies.

Plus, it’s a one-pan meal ready in 25 minutes or less. That means minimal prep, quick cooking, and easy cleanup. Serve it on its own for a low-carb dinner or pair it with cauliflower rice for an extra boost.

Ingredients

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced): Sometimes you can buy chicken cutlets or thinly sliced chicken breasts at the store. But, if you can’t, simply buy small to medium-size chicken breasts, which you can then slice at home.

Cajun seasoning: We use Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning since it’s easy to find at most stores. However, you can use another preferred Cajun blend or even make your own.

Green bell peppers: We use green, butt you can swap in red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for a slightly sweeter flavor.

Red onion: We use sweet red onions, but any onion you have on hand will work just fine.

Fresh garlic: This skillet gets a boost of flavor from garlic! We recommend 2 to 3 garlic cloves, depending on your preference.

Heavy cream: To keep calories lower we use just ⅓ cup of heavy cream. For creamier sauce, you can use ½ cup.

Grated parmesan: Grated parmesan is another must in terms of flavor. Freshly grated is always better, but whatever you have on hand.

Lemon juice: We highly recommend topping off the skillet with a few squeezes of lemon juice to brighten it up.

How to Make

STEP 1: If you’re unable to buy thinly sliced chicken breasts, it’s simple to do at home. Simply place your hand (laid flat) on top of a whole breast and cut through the middle (parallel to the cutting board) until you have two thin slices of chicken. Repeat this process for each whole chicken breast. After, toss sliced chicken with Cajun seasoning.

STEP 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

STEP 3: In the same pan, add ½ tablespoon avocado oil. Stir in bell peppers, onion and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly softened.

STEP 4: Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese and let simmer for a minute. Return chicken to the skillet, coat in the sauce and simmer for another minute. Serve immediately.

Finished creamy cajun chicken skillet with bell peppers and onion.

Recipe Variations

Make it extra creamy – Add ½ cup of heavy cream instead of ⅓ cup for an even richer sauce. Just keep in mind this will increase the calories and fat.
Swap the veggies – Try grape or cherry tomatoes instead of bell peppers for a slightly sweeter, juicy twist.
Serve it with cauliflower rice – A great low-carb option that soaks up the sauce and adds extra texture.
Turn up the heat – Add a pinch of cayenne or sliced jalapeños if you love extra spice.
Use shrimp instead of chicken – Cajun flavors pair perfectly with shrimp, and it cooks even faster for a quick meal.

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water if the sauce thickens too much.

More Low Carb Cajun Recipes

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

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