Cajun Chicken Pasta

Name: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon salt; 8 ounces penne pasta ((227g)); 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size cubes (about 1 pound/450g)); 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning (divided); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 bell pepper (sliced); ¾ cup diced tomatoes ((150g)); 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1 cup heavy whipping cream ((240mL)); ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese ((28g)); 4 ounces cream cheese ((112g)); ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; Fresh parsley (chopped)

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If you’re looking for a restaurant-style pasta dish for dinner, then you must make this delicious Cajun chicken pasta recipe. It is so easy to make with simple everyday ingredients that you’ll have dinner ready on the table in 30 minutes.

This chicken Cajun pasta is hearty, spicy, and full of flavor! It’s the ultimate comfort food and it’s full of tender chicken breast, penne pasta, bell peppers, tomatoes, and the creamiest cheesy Cajun sauce making for a satisfying meal your whole family will love.

This Cajun pasta is perfect on its own, but if you want a side to go with this creamy pasta bowl, then serve it with a side of crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple salad. If you want another easy pasta recipe, then try my chicken pesto pasta, chicken alfredo recipe, or shrimp alfredo recipe.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients needed to make Cajun chicken pasta.

Pasta — I use penne pasta for this Cajun pasta, but farfalle, shells, or rotini pasta are great alternatives. You can also use whole grain pasta.

Chicken — I use chicken breasts, but you can also swap for chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.

Cajun seasoning — you can use store-bought seasoning or homemade Cajun seasoning.

Bell pepper — Use any bell pepper you’d like. I use red bell pepper. Keep in mind that green bell pepper won’t be as sweet as red, yellow, or orange bell pepper.

Heavy whipping cream — this helps make the Cajun pasta with chicken smooth and creamy. If you’d like a lighter sauce, then you can swap it for half and half or light cream, but the sauce will be a bit thinner in comparison.

Cream cheese — I use full-fat cream cheese, but you can swap it for a lighter version if you prefer.

Parmesan — I recommend buying a block of parmesan and grating it yourself. Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded parmesan.

How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta

Set of two photos showing penne added to a pot of water and scooped out.

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the salt and the pasta and cook according to the package directions.

2. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.

Set of two photos showing chicken seasoned and seared in a skillet.

3. While the pasta cooks, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning.

4. In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown on all sides.

Set of two photos showing bell peppers, tomatoes, and parmesan added to the skillet.

5. Add the bell pepper and cook until tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and garlic and cook for 1 minute.

6. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the cream, parmesan, cream cheese, remaining 2 teaspoons of cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Cook until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the pasta and toss until combined and heated through. Add some of the reserved pasta water to thin sauce, if desired. Serve immediately, garnished with more parmesan and parsley.

A skillet of Cajun chicken pasta with freshly shredded parmesan on top. Some parsley and a plate and fork in the back.

Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

Cook the pasta just to al dente texture as the pasta will continue to soften when you toss it in the sauce.
Make sure to use a large enough pot for cooking the pasta. You want there to have enough room for the noodles to move freely.
Don’t rush cooking the pasta. The water should be a rapid boil before adding the pasta to prevent it from being soggy.
Remember to stir the pasta to prevent the noodles from sticking together or to the bottom or sides of the pot.
Be careful not to overcook the chicken, or it’ll be dry. As the chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, it’s easier to overcook than a whole chicken breast.
Feel free to add additional vegetables to the pasta, such as spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli.
Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and let it soften. This will help in the melting process.

A plate of Cajun chicken pasta with a glass of wine, torn bread, and more pasta in the back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this pasta spicy?

There is some heat in this chicken Cajun pasta. Most of the spice level comes from the Cajun seasoning, which contains cayenne pepper. If you’re worried it’ll be too hot, then you can add less Cajun seasoning.

Can I use another protein?

If you want to swap out the chicken, you can use shrimp or sausage. Alternatively, you can leave out the meat entirely.

How do I store leftovers?

Allow the Cajun pasta to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. When reheating the pasta, add a splash of water or chicken broth to help loosen it.

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