Print

30-Minute Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

A fork lifts a bite of creamy cajun chicken pasta, showing the rich sauce coating the penne and chicken pieces.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make a restaurant-quality, creamy Cajun chicken pasta quickly. This recipe uses a one-pan method for easy cleanup and delivers rich, spicy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or more, to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
  • 12 ounces dry pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the dry pasta to the skillet. Stir well, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is nearly tender.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and the cubed cream cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Heat through for 1-2 minutes. Do not boil after adding the cream.
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a thicker sauce, allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for an extra minute or two before adding the cream.
  • If you do not have Cajun seasoning, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer.

Nutrition

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