Zesty Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe for Flavor Lovers

Culinary adventures often spark excitement when you stumble upon a creamy cajun chicken pasta that promises bold flavors and comfort.

Spices dance through each tender bite, creating a symphony of taste that tingles your senses.

Southern-inspired ingredients weave magic into this simple yet spectacular dish.

Peppers and cream blend seamlessly, delivering a rich experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Hearty proteins mingle with zesty seasonings, making every forkful a celebration of robust flavors.

Weeknight dinners transform from ordinary to extraordinary with this mouthwatering recipe.

Let this vibrant dish become your new go-to meal that sparks joy and satisfies deep hunger.

Why Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Deserves a Spot on Your Menu

• Perfect Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Delivers a delicious meal in just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy professionals and hungry families wanting quick, tasty dinners.
• Packs bold Cajun seasoning and creamy sauce that transforms ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish, exciting taste buds with minimal cooking skills required.
• Minimizes kitchen cleanup by using a single pan for cooking chicken, sautéing vegetables, and creating a luxurious sauce, saving precious time and reducing dishwashing hassle.
• Combines familiar pasta with spicy Cajun chicken, creating a universally appealing meal that satisfies both adventurous eaters and picky family members with its creamy, zesty profile.

What’s in This Cajun Chicken Pasta Dish

• Chicken Strips: The star of the dish, providing protein and taking on the bold Cajun flavor. Choose fresh, boneless chicken breast for the best texture and taste.

• Bell Peppers, Garlic: Add color, crunch, and depth of flavor to the pasta. Select fresh, crisp bell peppers and aromatic garlic for maximum taste.

• Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Create a rich, creamy sauce with a tangy cheese finish. Use full-fat heavy cream for the smoothest texture and freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.

• Cajun Seasoning, Chicken Broth, Salt, Pepper: Provide complex spice profile and moisture to the dish. Choose a quality Cajun blend for authentic Louisiana-style flavor.

• Pasta, Fresh Parsley: Serve as the base and fresh garnish for the dish. Select a pasta shape that holds sauce well, like penne or fettuccine.

• Olive Oil: Helps cook chicken and vegetables with a light, healthy base. Use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.

How to Cook Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta in One Pan

Step 1: Sizzle Chicken to Perfection

Take chicken strips and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop chicken into the hot pan and cook until golden and fully done, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 2: Awaken Vegetable Flavors

• Bell peppers
• Garlic

Sauté for 2-3 minutes until peppers become slightly tender.

Step 3: Craft Luxurious Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Remaining Cajun seasoning

Stir ingredients until blended and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Prepare Pasta Base

Cook pasta following package directions. Drain water completely and set aside.

Step 5: Create Culinary Magic

• Cooked chicken
• Prepared pasta
• Parmesan cheese

Toss everything together so pasta and chicken get fully coated in creamy goodness. Sprinkle salt and pepper to enhance flavors.

Step 6: Present and Enjoy

Scatter fresh parsley on top. Add extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Tips for Balancing Heat and Creaminess

• Adjust Spice Level: Control the heat by using mild or hot Cajun seasoning based on your preference. Start with less and add more gradually to find your perfect spice balance.
• Protein Swap: Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or tofu for a versatile dish that suits different dietary needs and tastes.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when mixing with the creamy sauce. Slightly undercooked pasta continues cooking in the hot sauce.
• Cream Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick, thin it with a splash of pasta water or chicken broth. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
• Quick Meal Prep: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and reduce overall preparation time.

Store Cajun Chicken Pasta and Reheat Smoothly

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Cream-based sauces tend to separate when frozen, so it's best to enjoy this dish fresh or refrigerated within a few days.

What Goes Great with Cajun Pasta

• Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy sauce, its zesty citrus notes balancing the rich Cajun spices and complementing the chicken's bold flavors.
• Choose a cold craft beer with hoppy characteristics, like an American pale ale, which provides a refreshing contrast to the pasta's creamy texture and spicy undertones.
• Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, offering a peppery and tangy counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites of the indulgent Cajun chicken pasta.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or cilantro over the dish, enhancing the Cajun seasoning's complexity and adding a bright, aromatic dimension to the creamy pasta.

Variations You’ll Want to Try with This Dish

• Vegan Veggie Delight: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using plant-based Cajun seasoning. Swap heavy cream for coconut milk or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta like chickpea or rice noodles. Ensure Cajun seasoning is gluten-free, and replace regular flour with cornstarch if needed for thickening.
• Lighter Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with shrimp or white fish for a seafood version. Adjust cooking time to prevent overcooking delicate proteins.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use a lighter cream sauce and maintain the bold Cajun flavor profile.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta FAQs

• What exactly is Cajun seasoning?

Cajun seasoning is a spicy blend typically made with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and dried herbs like oregano and thyme, giving dishes a bold, zesty flavor profile from Louisiana cuisine.

• Can I make this recipe less spicy?

Yes, simply reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or use a mild version. You can also substitute with a pinch of paprika and black pepper to maintain flavor without intense heat.

• Is this dish considered gluten-free?

No, the recipe uses regular pasta. To make it gluten-free, substitute wheat pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders work perfectly. They cook quickly, absorb seasoning well, and provide lean protein for the dish.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy cajun chicken pasta brings southern spice and comfort to your dinner table with bold flavors dancing through tender pasta. Rich with zesty seasonings and smooth sauce, this dish delivers a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 1 cup chicken broth

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) fettuccine or penne pasta
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Dairy:

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Extra Parmesan, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare seasoned chicken by generously coating strips with Cajun spice blend. Sear protein in heated olive oil until exterior turns golden and internal temperature reaches safe cooking point, approximately 6-7 minutes.
2. Utilize identical skillet to caramelize diced bell peppers and minced garlic, creating aromatic foundation for sauce. Sauté vegetables until edges become slightly translucent and fragrant.
3. Transform skillet into sauce creation zone by introducing heavy cream, rich chicken broth, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Gently simmer mixture, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
4. Simultaneously cook pasta in separate pot according to package guidelines. Ensure noodles reach al dente texture, then drain thoroughly, preserving slight moisture.
5. Merge all components by introducing seared chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and grated Parmesan into simmering sauce. Delicately toss ingredients, guaranteeing comprehensive coating and flavor integration. Adjust seasoning with salt and cracked pepper as needed.
6. Elevate dish presentation by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese garnish. Serve immediately while sauce remains luxuriously warm and creamy.

Notes

• Spice Variation: Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing the amount based on personal heat preference, ensuring a balanced flavor profile without overwhelming the dish.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken with shrimp, tofu, or plant-based alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs while maintaining the recipe’s creamy Cajun essence.
• Veggie Boost: Incorporate additional vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms to enhance nutritional value and add extra texture to the pasta.
• Cream Substitution: Use coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free version that still delivers a rich, velvety sauce without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg