Are you looking for something creamy, easy, and incredibly delicious to make for dinner tonight? Look no further than this creamy cajun chicken pasta. This is my go-to dish when I want to really impress. Believe me, it tastes divine!
Pasta is one of those meals that everyone likes. This is because there are so many different ways to make pasta.
Creamy cajun pasta is the cheerleader of pastas. It will leave you feeling like a professional chef. This dish is surprisingly super easy to prepare, and you can even alter it a bit to suit your taste.
This pasta is about to be your new favorite! Lets get into it!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
✔️ Quick & easy – Even if this is the first thing you cook, you’ll nail this recipe. Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes!
✔️ Flavourful – The Cajun seasoning, garlic, and parmesan, *screams of flavor*
✔️ One-pan dish – Because washing up too many dishes after cooking is never fun.
✔️ Restaurant quality – But made right in your kitchen!
What You’ll Need
● 250g (8 oz) penne pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
● 2 chicken breasts, cut into small bite-sized pieces
● 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or more if you like it spicy!)
● 1 tbsp butter
● 1 tbsp cooking oil
● Salt & black pepper, to taste
● 1 small onion, diced
● 3 cloves garlic, minced
● 1 red bell pepper, sliced (you can also use green and yellow, or a combination of colors)
● ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
● 1 cup double cream (heavy cream)
● ½ cup grated parmesan
● Fresh parsley, for garnish
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Reserve some of the pasta water after cooking, so you can add it to the sauce later. It helps it cling to the pasta perfectly.
Step 2: Cook the Cajun Chicken
Toss the sliced chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. (Make sure it is coated perfectly.)
Add cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring halfway, until all sides are golden and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
You can also use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time!
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies & Make the Sauce
In the same pan, add butter (because butter = flavor).
Toss in the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until sits soft and fragrant.
Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those delicious bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
Add in double cream and parmesan cheese and stir. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until thick and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Add the cooked penne pasta and chicken to the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss to coat everything in that luscious sauce.
If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve
Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh parsley for that final pop of color. Serve hot with extra parmesan on top (if you want extra cheesiness!).
Want some heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra Cajun seasoning for a fiery kick.
What to Serve with Cajun Chicken Pasta
This pasta is hearty on its own, but if you want to go all out, here are a few delicious sides:
Garlic Bread: Because pasta + garlic bread = happiness.
Simple Side Salad: Light, fresh, and balances the richness.
Roasted or steamed veggies: A little extra fibre never hurts (consider, carrots, asparagus, and broccoli)!
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is everything you want in a comfort meal—spicy, creamy, cheesy, and just plain delicious.
It’s one of my favorite pasta dishes and one of those crowd-pleasing dishes that’s perfect for both weeknight dinner and a special day treat.
