Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a touch of spice. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that comes together in one skillet.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (divided)
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 14.5 ounces canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
• 3/4 cups half and half
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 6 ounces fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces.
2. Step 2: Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Stir to coat the pan as it melts.
3. Step 3: Add the chicken to the skillet and sprinkle with half of the Cajun seasoning. Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is browned, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the pan, then sprinkle with the remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Step 5: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Add the penne pasta, chicken broth, drained diced tomatoes, and half and half to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
7. Step 7: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the skillet.
8. Step 8: Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
9. Step 9: Remove the lid and stir in the cream cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
10. Step 10: Stir in the fresh baby spinach, then remove from heat. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
11. Step 11: Stir well before serving to combine all the flavors evenly.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use spicy Cajun seasoning.
• Swap half and half for heavy cream for a richer sauce.
• Try adding mushrooms or zucchini along with the onion and pepper for more veggies.
• Use rotini or rigatoni pasta for a different texture.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or half and half if the sauce has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and proper texture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

You can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and verifying your chicken broth is gluten-free as well.

Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 556 reviews

This creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, spicy Cajun seasoning, fresh vegetables, and a rich creamy sauce with penne pasta. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it delivers a delicious blend of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors in one skillet meal.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Pasta
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Cajun, American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken & Seasoning

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, divided

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 ounces fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried

Pasta & Liquids

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 14.5 ounces canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
• 3/4 cups half and half
• 2 ounces cream cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Chop the chicken into 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
2. Sauté the Chicken: Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat and add the butter, swirling to coat the pan evenly. Add the chicken pieces and sprinkle with half of the Cajun seasoning. Cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and sprinkle with the remaining Cajun seasoning. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened.
4. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add Pasta and Liquids: Pour in the penne pasta, chicken broth, drained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and half and half. Stir everything together to combine well.
6. Simmer the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
7. Melt Cream Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the cream cheese until it melts fully into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.
8. Add Spinach and Rest: Stir in the fresh baby spinach, then remove the skillet from heat. Cover and let the dish sit for 5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt gently.
9. Final Stir and Serve: Give everything a good stir to evenly distribute the wilted spinach and creamy sauce before serving hot.

Notes

• Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for added smoky flavor.
• You can substitute penne pasta with any pasta of your choice such as fusilli or rigatoni.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to your preferred spice level.
• Make sure to not overcook the pasta to maintain a firm texture (al dente).
• Half and half can be substituted with heavy cream or whole milk for different creaminess levels.
• Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, one skillet meal, spicy chicken pasta recipe, comfort food