Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bold Cajun spices, and a creamy sauce that delivers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and rich flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (red or green)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, dice bell peppers, finely chop onion, and mince garlic. Measure out Cajun seasoning and liquids.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven. Add chicken pieces, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and cook until golden brown and nearly cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic.
- Return chicken to the pan. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and stir in uncooked pasta. Season with remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes. Add more broth or water if pasta seems dry before fully cooked.
- Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook uncovered, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and becomes silky, about 3 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra crack of black pepper. Serve hot straight from the pot.
Notes
Keep heat moderate during simmering to avoid burning. Stir gently and add liquid if sticking occurs. Add cream only after pasta is tender to prevent separation. Use fresh Cajun seasoning for best flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, one-pot meal, spicy chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight recipe