Cajun Chicken Pasta

This cajun chicken pasta recipe is packed with spicy flavor, tender noodles, chicken, onion, and roasted bell pepper in a bed of creamy sauce all cooked together in one pot.

Why this recipe works

A homemade blend of cajun seasoning packs incredible flavor into this cajun chicken pasta dish, and it’s so easy to make! There’s no boiling the noodles separately, it’s all made in one pot on the stovetop saving you the headache of timing the noodles, chicken, and sauce perfectly.

If you’re a fan of spice, cajun food is definitely going to be up your alley. A good cajun blend relies on cayenne pepper for spiciness and goes well in a variety of dishes from seafood, cajun chicken salads, and pasta alike.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CHICKEN – Chicken breast is most commonly used to top pasta, but you can certainly add or substitute with shrimp, sausage, or a protein of your choice. Alternatively, you can omit the meat altogether for a vegetarian friendly pasta dish.

SEASONINGS – This is a spicy dish. For less spice, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper by half. All the seasonings listed in the recipe card are our spin on your typical cajun seasoning, but if you prefer, you can simply use store-bought cajun seasoning, about 1 – 1 1/2 Tbsp should do the trick.

CREAM CHEESE – Cream cheese should be at room temperature so that it melts quickly from the heat in the skillet. If you don’t want to use cream cheese, you can substitute with a splash of heavy cream.

How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
2. Combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and all of the paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, oregano, garlic salt, and black pepper. Rub oil and spice mixture into chicken pieces.
3. Add remaining olive oil to skillet over medium-high heat and heat until shimmering. Add chicken to hot skillet and cook for about 4 minutes. Add onion and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink about 2-3 minutes more.
4. Add roasted red bell pepper.
5. Add penne pasta and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cover. Cook about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure pasta cooks evenly.
6. Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese. Stir occasionally until cream cheese is melted and incorporated.
7. Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and parsley.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Store leftover cajun chicken pasta in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

We prefer penne pasta but you can use rotini, spaghetti, rigatoni, bow tie, or basically any noodle shape you’d like.

Serving Suggestions

Serve cajun chicken pasta with chunks of bread for dipping or warm garlic bread. Pasta also pairs well with a fresh side salad. Generously garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and parsley.

More Pasta Recipes

• Shrimp Pasta
• Pasta Carbonara
• Mushroom Ravioli
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
• Stuffed Shells
• Shrimp Scampi Pasta
• Scallop Pasta

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