Cajun Pasta Recipe

Homemade Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is such a simple and quick recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken breast tossed in tender pasta in a creamy cajun garlic sauce.

All you need is a slice of Focaccia Bread to soak up the creamy sauce, plus a simple Caesar Salad for a memorable pasta night.

We love recreating our favorite recipes and this copycat recipe for Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is going to become a family favorite!

Creamy pasta with pieces of tender and juicy cajun flavored chicken in the most delicious homemade cajun sauce. You will love all the flavors from the dish and it comes together in under 30 minutes so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. I’m excited to add this to our long lineup of 30-minute meals.

Pro Tip: You can adjust the spiciness in the pasta by adding more or less of the Cajun seasoning.

This restaurant copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is sure to please. If you love comforting pasta dishes, check out the list below for more dinner inspiration.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is such a simple and quick recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken breast tossed with tender pasta in a creamy cajun garlic sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

*Avoid using cast iron or copper pans anytime you are making a creamy sauce with an acidic product like tomato or it will react and make the sauce grainy.

*If you are using a cajun seasoning that has a high salt content, start with half of the seasoning and add more to taste. Nutrition Facts Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Amount Per Serving

cajun pasta recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

cajun pasta recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is such a simple and quick recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken breast tossed with tender pasta in a creamy cajun garlic sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 480 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 31 g, Saturated Fat 18 g, Trans Fat 0.2 g, Cholesterol 109 mg, Sodium 214 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, unSaturated Fat 10 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 Tbsp cajun seasoning (divided, (or added to taste depending on the brand you use*))
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 2/3 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp parsley (finely chopped, to serve)

Instruction:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water then drain, cover, and keep warm.
  2. Beat the chicken breasts so that they are even in thickness and season all over with 1½ Tbsp cajun seasoning.
  3. In a large non-reactive skillet*, heat 2 tsp oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear on both sides. Turn heat down to low and saute until cooked through and 165˚F on a thermometer. Transfer to a cutting board, slice into thin strips, and cover to keep warm.
  4. In the same skillet over medium heat, saute the butter and garlic for 30-60 seconds or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and saute another 2 minutes.
  5. Add in the heavy whipping cream, add remaining cajun seasoning to taste, and parmesan cheese, and bring to a simmer. Season to taste if needed.
  6. Add the sliced chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until combined and pasta and chicken are warmed through. Add warm reserved pasta water if desired to thin the sauce. Serve with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley.

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

cajun pasta recipe

Cook a complete dinner in one pot with this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, using mostly pantry-stable items. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 Serving, calories 482.65 kcal, Carbohydrate 51.53 g, Protein 34.95 g, Fat 14.58 g, Fiber 3.45 g, Sodium 847.23 mg

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.20)
  • 1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
  • 1 tsp thyme ($0.10)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
  • 1 Tbsp butter ($0.13)
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast ($5.47)
  • 1 yellow onion, diced ($0.32)
  • 1/2 lb. penne pasta (uncooked) ($0.75)
  • 15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes ($1.00)
  • 2 cups chicken broth ($0.26)
  • 2 oz. cream cheese ($0.50)
  • 3 green onions, sliced ($0.25)

Instruction:

  1. Combine the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over top, and stir to coat the chicken in spices.
  2. Add the olive oil and butter to a large deep skillet. Heat the oil and butter over medium-high until the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for a couple minutes on each side, or just until the outside gets some color. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
  3. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and continue to sauté for about 2 minutes more, or just until the onion begins to soften. Allow the moisture from the onion to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  4. Next, add the pasta, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices), and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir just until everything is evenly combined, then place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil.
  5. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick and saucy.
  6. Add the cream cheese to the skillet in chunks, then stir until it has melted into the sauce. Top the pasta with sliced green onions and serve.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta | How To Make Cajun Chicken Pasta

FAQ

What is Cajun sauce made of?

Cajun sauce is a spicy mayo-based sauce made with ingredients like mayo, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a few other ingredients. It’s very versatile so many people often add their own twist on this sauce.

What to serve with Cajun pasta?

This cajun pasta is quick, easy, and completely customizable! Serve it with Homemade Breadsticks, Rolls, a Salad, or a side of Roasted Vegetables.

What cream to use for pasta?

If you don’t have double cream, use single cream or crème fraîche instead. Soft cheese, such as cream cheese, can be used as alternative too – it’s richer than the cream, so 100g/3½oz should be plenty, along with an extra splash of water.

What to serve with Cajun chicken?

What to Serve with Cajun Chicken? 8 BEST Side Dishes
  1. 1 – Wild Rice Pilaf.
  2. 2 – Twice Baked Potato Casserole.
  3. 3 – Cheesy Spicy Corn Casserole.
  4. 4 – Classic Cornbread.
  5. 5 – Tangy Potato Salad with Bacon.
  6. 6 – Sautéed Garlic Spinach.
  7. 7 – Southern Style Creamy Coleslaw.
  8. 8 – Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Parmesan.
About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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