Cajun Chicken Pasta

Substitutions and Additions

CAJUN SEASONING: To give this creamy chicken pasta dish a milder kick, opt for a Creole seasoning blend, which features similar spices with added herbs like thyme and oregano.

CHICKEN BROTH: For a lower sodium option, switch to low-sodium chicken broth without compromising on flavor.

PASTA: While penne is perfect, feel free to experiment with other short pasta varieties like rigatoni or farfalle.

How To Make This Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Cajun pasta is as simple as cooking the pasta to perfection and making the sauce. Let’s walk through the steps together.

STEP ONE: Cook pasta until al dente in a large pot of water according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.

STEP TWO: In a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the diced chicken pieces. 

Cook the chicken for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Transfer the pieces of chicken to a plate and set aside while preparing the Cajun sauce.

STEP THREE: Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium and add the unsalted butter, diced onion, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic. 

Cook for 1-2 minutes, then add the Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute or until the vegetables are cooked through and tender.

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sauteed vegetables and cook just until all the flour has been absorbed into the butter.

STEP FIVE: Slowly pour the chicken broth into the skillet while whisking constantly until all the flour has been incorporated and no lumps remain.

STEP SIX: Add the heavy cream and Rotel diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine. 

Allow the sauce to come to a low boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce thickens. 

Be sure to stir the sauce often to avoid lumps and prevent the sauce from burning.

STEP SEVEN: Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with two teaspoons of the chopped fresh parsley. Stir to incorporate.

STEP EIGHT: Lastly, add the cooked and drained penne pasta and the grated parmesan cheese and stir to combine all the ingredients together. 

STEP NINE: Turn off the heat to the skillet and allow the Cajun chicken pasta to sit for 3-4 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and the sauce to thicken slightly. 

Garnish with the remaining one teaspoon of fresh chopped parsley before serving.

How To Serve

Pair the creamy pasta with a crisp Caesar salad or tomato cucumber salad. The pasta’s creamy richness beautifully balances the refreshing flavors of the salad, creating a satisfying and well-rounded meal.

Elevate the dish’s comfort factor by serving it with warm, crusty garlic bread. The combination of textures and flavors makes every bite a delightfully indulgent experience.

Our creamy bowtie pasta and Italian sausage pasta are two more of our favorite pasta dishes that we are sure you will enjoy.

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Storage

If you have leftovers or want to plan ahead, here are a few tips to help you out.

MAKE AHEAD: Prepare all ingredients and store them in individual containers up to 24 hours ahead. This ensures a seamless cooking experience on busy weeknights.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover Cajun chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two to three days. Note that the sauce will thicken further, and the pasta will continue to absorb the flavors as it rests.

IN THE FREEZER: Although freezing is not recommended due to the cream-based sauce, if needed, store the dish in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

REHEATING: Reheat the pasta gently over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of warm chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Why We Love This Recipe

HARMONY OF FLAVORS: The combination of tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and a velvety Cajun-spiced sauce creates a symphony of flavors that’s deeply satisfying.

BOLD CAJUN KICK: The Cajun seasoning adds a delightful kick, while the creamy sauce offers comforting indulgence.

EASY PREP: With simple ingredients and clear steps, even novice cooks can master this flavorful dish.

Elevate your pasta repertoire with our Cajun chicken pasta. Its blend of flavors, creamy Cajun sauce, and ease of preparation make it a must-try recipe for a casual weeknight dinner or a celebratory feast.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Italian Sausage Pasta
• Everything Bagel Pasta
• Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Bowtie Pasta
• Bow Tie Lasagna

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Cajun Chicken Pasta

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Cajun chicken pasta is the perfect choice for pasta night, combining tender chicken breast, vibrant vegetables, and signature Cajun seasoning for smoky spice.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 4

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Ingredients

  

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• ½ pound penne pasta, cooked & drained according to package directions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¾ cup diced yellow onion
• ¾ cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning blend
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 10 ounces Rotel Original diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 3 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley (divided into 2 teaspoons and 1 teaspoon)
• 4 ounces grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
• In a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the diced chicken pieces. Cook the chicken for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside while preparing the Cajun sauce.
• Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium and add the unsalted butter, diced yellow onion, diced red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then add the cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute or until the vegetables are cooked through and tender.
• Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sauteed vegetables and cook just until all the flour has been absorbed into the butter.
• Slowly pour the chicken broth into the skillet while whisking constantly until all the flour has been incorporated and no lumps remain.
• To the skillet, add the heavy cream and Rotel diced tomatoes. Stir to combine. Allow the sauce to come to a low boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Be sure to stir the sauce often to avoid lumps and prevent the sauce from burning.
• Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken back to the skillet along with 2 teaspoons of the chopped fresh parsley. Stir to incorporate.
• Lastly, add the cooked and drained penne pasta and the grated parmesan cheese and stir to combine all the ingredients together.
• Turn off the heat to the skillet and allow the cajun chicken pasta to sit for 3-4 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and the sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with the remaining 1 teaspoon of fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• You can prepare all your ingredients and store them in individual containers in the refrigerator up to 24 hours ahead of time.
• Al dente is the ideal consistency for pasta. The pasta will be tender and will still have a slightly firm texture when you bite into it.
• Be sure to pat your chicken pieces dry before adding them to the hot skillet to get a nice, lightly browned color and sear on your chicken pieces.
• You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning you use depending on your preferred heat level.

Nutrition

Calories: 828kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 181mg | Sodium: 1165mg | Potassium: 984mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3665IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 336mg | Iron: 2mg

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