Print

Creamy Cajun-Style Chicken Pasta

pot of creamy pasta with cajun seasoning and chunks of chicken.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This creamy Cajun-style chicken pasta is an easy one pot dinner, ready in only about 30 minutes. A spicy, creamy sauce seasoned with Cajun seasoning coats tender pasta, sautéed chicken breast, bell peppers and onion. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons (6 teaspoons) Cajun seasoning, divided (see note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1 bell pepper, any color, sliced
  • 1 small or 1/2 large onion, sliced
  • 8 ounces (227 g) dried pasta (pappardelle, tagliatelle, or linguine, see note 4)
  • 2 cups (473 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (237 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup (237 ml) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup (14 g) finely shredded Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle the chicken cubes with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning. Toss the chicken to evenly coat it in the Cajun seasoning.
  2. In a large sauté pan or high-sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat. Add seasoned chicken to the hot pan in an even layer. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring only occasionally, to allow the chicken to develop a brown crust on the exterior.
  3. Add the bell pepper and onion to the pan. Sprinkle with an additional 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Cook the bell pepper, onion and chicken, stirring frequently, until vegetables have softened and chicken is fully cooked, about 2 - 3 minutes. Scrape any brown bits up from the bottom of the pan during cooking. Remove chicken and vegetables into a medium bowl. Cover the bowl loosely with aluminum foil and set aside.
  4. Add the pasta, chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, crushed tomatoes, and remaining 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning to the same pan (still set to medium high). Stir to combine.
  5. Simmer for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened. Turn the heat down if necessary to maintain the simmer (avoid boiling the sauce).
  6. Add the chicken and vegetables back to the pan. Add the shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Taste the sauce and add salt to taste, and/or more Cajun seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with additional shredded Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  1. Before you start cooking, check to see if your Cajun seasoning has salt in it or not. If it does not, add salt to taste to the chicken, veggies, and sauce.
  2. The amount of Cajun seasoning listed here results in a medium level of spiciness (in my opinion!). The spice level will depend on your own taste buds and the brand of Cajun seasoning. Adjust the amount of seasoning to your own tastes.
  3. After the pasta has cooked, it may seem like there is too much sauce. But, you need extra sauce to coat the chicken and vegetables. Also, the sauce continues to thicken as it cools.
  4. This one-pot recipe works best with dried pasta that cooks in about 7 - 10 minutes. If you choose a different pasta, one that takes a little more time to cook, rather than less, will work better. As the pasta cooks, some of the liquid will evaporate, and some will be absorbed into the pasta. For a longer cook time, add small amounts of water as needed if the pan is getting too dry. On the other hand, if you don't simmer the sauce long enough, it will be runny.
  5. The nutrition information below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator; the nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the amount and brand of seasoning(s) and ingredients you use. This nutrition estimate should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, health, or nutritional advice. See our full nutrition disclosure policy.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://nibbleanddine.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta/