Creamy Cajun Pasta with Chicken
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If you’re looking for a creamy pasta dish that’s bursting with flavor, this Creamy Cajun Pasta with Chicken is for you! With a thick, cheesy sauce that coats the chicken, veggies, and pasta, it’s very similar to Cajun chicken Alfredo.
Want more comfort on a plate in the form of pasta? Check out my Bacon Carbonara, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Creamy Chicken Cordon Blue Pasta, and Baked Spaghetti Pie.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Irresistibly rich. The creamy Cajun sauce is luscious and cheesy.
- Super simple. This hearty meal comes together quickly and easily.
- Customizable. It’s easy to make simple changes to make this dish your own.
- Full meal. With protein, pasta, veggies, and dairy, this dish can be your whole meal — no sides necessary!
Main Ingredients You’ll Need
For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Penne Pasta
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Cajun Seasoning, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt and pepper
- Olive Oil
- Red and Green Bell Pepper, Thinly Sliced
- Red Onion, Diced
- Garlic, Minced
- Heavy Cream
- Chicken Broth
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
- Fresh Parsley
Simple Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Directions
This easy pasta dish comes together using just one pot and one pan. The cleanup is just as simple as making the dish itself!
- Cook the pasta, and pound the chicken until pieces are uniformly thin.
- Whisk the seasonings together and rub on to the chicken.
- Cook the chicken in a heated skillet with a little olive oil.
- Remove the chicken from the heat, allow it to cool then slice into strips.
- Cook the peppers and onion in the pan the chicken was cooked in. Sauté briefly with garlic.
- Add the broth and cream and simmer. Add the cheese and stir until combined.
- Place the tomatoes in the pan and add a little more Cajun seasoning.
- Stir in cooked pasta and sliced chicken to serve.
When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
Storage Tips
This dish is a breeze to make and it lasts for days in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
Refrigerate/Leftovers
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, pour in heavy cream, broth or water to thin the sauce if it thickens while in the fridge.
Freeze
Store cajun chicken pasta in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight freezer container.
Serve this one-bowl pasta with a loaf of garlic cheese bread and our favorite one bowl chocolate cake for dessert!
Recipe Variations + Additions
- Chicken – You can cut the chicken into cubes instead of strips, or make this one dish pasta with chicken thighs. Do note the cooking times vary between the two — thighs may take longer.
- Sauce – To lighten up the sauce, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream.
- Shrimp – Swap out the chicken and make Cajun shrimp pasta instead.
- Pasta – Use bow tie pasta
- Heat Level – Add more Cajun spice, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
- Garnish – Use diced green onions, sundried tomatoes, or simple sprinkle a little parmesan cheese for garnish
- Pasta – Substitute with whole grain pastas or a gluten-free variety.
- Meat – Add smoked sausage. Andouille sausage is a great option.
More Pasta Recipes
- Crockpot Beef Ragu
- Pizza Pasta Bake
- Easy Bacon Carbonara
- Veggie Pasta
- The Best Fettuccinie Alfredo
- Baked Spaghetti
- Three Cheese Baked Mostaccioli
With its bold flavors and creamy Cajun kick, this Cajun Chicken Pasta is guaranteed to spice up your dinner routine. It’s a dish that’s as satisfying to make as it is to devour!
Like This Recipe?
I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!
Cajun Pasta With Chicken
With its bold flavors and creamy kick, this easy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is guaranteed to spice up your dinner routine. It’s a one-pot dish that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, divided
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Use a meat malled or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to be an even thickness.
- Combine 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Use this seasoning mix to coat the chicken evenly, rubbing it in with your fingers to ensure it adheres well.
- Heat olive oil over in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through (internal temp of 165° F). Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and let them rest for about 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Using the same skillet, and a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the bell peppers and red onion until they are tender and crisp. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add the remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and sliced tomatoes into the sauce and cook for 1 minute. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if desired.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Return the sliced chicken on top or mix it in with the sauce and noodles.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Tips:
- To cook the chicken faster without making the outside too crispy, put a lid on the pan to keep the heat in and help cook the chicken.
- Adjust the level of Cajun seasoning to suit your spice preference.
- The amount or types of vegetables can be adjusted to your liking!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 652Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 1230mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 33g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
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