One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: A Spicy & Flavorful Weeknight Delight
Craving a dish that’s bursting with flavor, incredibly satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than this sensational One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta. This recipe brings together tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, aromatic onion, and sweet roasted bell pepper, all swimming in a rich, spicy, and utterly irresistible creamy sauce. The best part? Everything comes together in a single pot on your stovetop, making cleanup a breeze and ensuring maximum flavor infusion. It’s the ultimate comfort food with a kick, perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a hearty meal without the fuss.
Why This One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Is a Game Changer
This Cajun chicken pasta isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a testament to convenience without compromising on incredible taste. The magic truly lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor achieved through a carefully crafted homemade Cajun seasoning blend. Here’s why this recipe deserves a permanent spot in your culinary rotation:
- Unbeatable Flavor Profile: A custom blend of Cajun spices infuses every component of this dish, from the succulent chicken to the creamy sauce and the pasta itself. The result is a vibrant, smoky, and perfectly spiced flavor that’s deeply satisfying.
- Effortless One-Pot Cooking: Say goodbye to multiple pots and pans! This entire dish, including the pasta, cooks in a single skillet. This means less time spent on washing dishes and more time enjoying your delicious meal. Cooking the pasta directly in the sauce allows it to absorb all the rich flavors, resulting in a more cohesive and deeply satisfying taste experience.
- Perfectly Timed Ingredients: Forget the headache of trying to perfectly time boiling noodles separately from cooking your chicken and sauce. In this one-pot method, everything simmers together, ensuring the chicken is tender, the vegetables are just right, and the pasta is al dente, all in one go.
- Weeknight Friendly: Designed for efficiency, this recipe minimizes prep and cook time, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings when you need a hearty, flavorful meal on the table quickly. From start to finish, you’ll be amazed at how fast this delicious dinner comes together.
- Customizable Spice Level: While Cajun food is celebrated for its spicy kick, this recipe allows you to tailor the heat to your preference. Whether you love a fiery punch or prefer a milder warmth, you can easily adjust the cayenne pepper to suit your palate.
If you’re a connoisseur of bold and zesty flavors, Cajun cuisine will undoubtedly resonate with you. The foundation of a great Cajun blend relies on ingredients like cayenne pepper for heat, paprika for color and smoky notes, and a medley of herbs and garlic. This versatile seasoning excels in a variety of dishes, from savory seafood boils and Cajun chicken salads to, of course, a comforting pasta dish like this one.
Key Ingredients for Your Cajun Chicken Pasta
Gathering your ingredients for this One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is simple, with most items being kitchen staples. You’ll find a complete list of precise measurements, ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post. For now, let’s highlight the stars of the show:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and absorb the Cajun spices beautifully.
- Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing the chicken and vegetables, providing a healthy fat base.
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning: A vibrant mix of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, oregano, garlic salt, and black pepper. This blend is the heart and soul of the dish.
- Onion: Yellow or white onion, finely chopped, forms an aromatic base.
- Roasted Red Bell Pepper: Adds a delightful sweetness and depth of flavor, complementing the spice. Jarred roasted peppers are a convenient shortcut.
- Penne Pasta: A sturdy pasta shape that holds up well in creamy sauces and cooks perfectly in one pot.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid base for cooking the pasta and creating the sauce.
- Cream Cheese: The secret to achieving that luscious, creamy texture.
- Garnishes: Shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a finishing touch.
Ingredient Insights & Versatile Substitutions
Part of the beauty of this Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to tweak ingredients to match your preferences or what you have on hand.
CHICKEN: While boneless, skinless chicken breast is a popular choice for pasta dishes due to its quick cooking time and lean protein content, you have plenty of options. For a richer flavor and slightly more tender texture, consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. If you’re looking to mix things up, shrimp, sliced smoked sausage (like Andouille for an authentic kick), or even thinly sliced beef or pork can be excellent additions or substitutions. For a delightful surf-and-turf experience, combine chicken and shrimp. Alternatively, if you’re aiming for a vegetarian-friendly pasta dish, simply omit the meat entirely. You can boost the protein with plant-based chicken substitutes or chickpeas if desired.
SEASONINGS: This recipe delivers a wonderfully spicy kick, thanks to our homemade Cajun blend. If you prefer a milder flavor, we recommend reducing the amount of cayenne pepper by half, or even omitting it if you’re very sensitive to heat. Our recipe card lists the precise proportions for our spin on classic Cajun seasoning, offering fresh, vibrant flavors you control. However, for ultimate convenience, a good quality store-bought Cajun seasoning blend can also be used. Approximately 1 to 1½ tablespoons of a pre-made blend should provide ample flavor, but always taste and adjust to your liking.
CREAM CHEESE: The cream cheese is crucial for achieving that signature velvety, luscious sauce. For the smoothest incorporation, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before adding it to the skillet. This helps it melt quickly and evenly without clumping. If cream cheese isn’t your preference, or you don’t have it on hand, a splash of heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option) can be used as a substitute to create a rich, creamy sauce, though the texture might be slightly different.
PASTA: Penne pasta is our go-to for this recipe because its tube shape and ridged surface are excellent for clinging to the creamy sauce, ensuring every bite is flavorful. However, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes. Rotini, rigatoni, bow tie (farfalle), or even a shorter cut of spaghetti or fettuccine can work beautifully. Just ensure they are suitable for one-pot cooking; avoid delicate pasta types that might overcook easily. For those with dietary restrictions, gluten-free pasta varieties can also be used, keeping in mind that cooking times might vary slightly.
ROASTED BELL PEPPER: Using jarred, drained, and chopped roasted red bell peppers is a fantastic shortcut that adds a smoky sweetness without extra effort. If you prefer, you can roast your own red bell peppers at home or even use fresh bell peppers (red, green, or yellow) for a brighter flavor and crunch. Sauté fresh bell peppers with the onion and chicken to soften them.
CHICKEN BROTH: Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended to control the overall saltiness of the dish, especially since garlic salt is included in the seasoning blend. Vegetable broth can be used as a vegetarian alternative, or even water if absolutely necessary, though broth will provide more depth of flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your 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.
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly and are easy to eat in the finished pasta.
- Season the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil with all the vibrant spices: smoked paprika, fiery cayenne pepper, rich chili powder, aromatic oregano, savory garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add the chicken pieces to this mixture and thoroughly rub the oil and spice blend into every piece, ensuring a full coating that will infuse the chicken with incredible Cajun flavor.
- Sear the Chicken and Sauté Onion: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (with a lid) and heat it over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, and cook for about 4 minutes, allowing it to develop a beautiful sear. Next, add the chopped onion to the skillet with the chicken. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for another 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink and the onion has softened and turned translucent.
- Add Roasted Bell Pepper: Stir in the drained and chopped roasted red bell pepper. This step introduces a subtle sweetness and depth, complementing the savory chicken and spices. Cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Introduce Pasta and Broth: Pour in the uncooked penne pasta and the chicken broth. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for approximately 10-12 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally during this cooking time. This not only prevents the pasta from sticking but also ensures it cooks evenly and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the broth and spices.
- Stir in Cream Cheese for Creaminess: Once the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed, reduce the heat to low. Add the room-temperature cream cheese to the skillet. Stir gently and continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and completely incorporated into the sauce, creating a rich, creamy, and velvety texture. Be patient with this step to ensure a smooth sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the sauce is perfectly creamy, your Cajun Chicken Pasta is ready! Garnish generously with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for added flavor and a beautiful presentation. Serve hot and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Store any leftover Cajun chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave, stirring occasionally until heated through. For best results, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to help rehydrate the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
While we prefer penne pasta for its ability to hold the creamy sauce and cook evenly in one pot, this recipe is quite flexible. You can successfully use other sturdy pasta shapes such as rotini, rigatoni, fusilli, or even bow tie (farfalle). These shapes have good surface area or crevices that allow them to beautifully capture the rich, spicy sauce. Avoid very thin pastas like angel hair, which might overcook quickly in a one-pot method.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Cajun Chicken Pasta:
- Do NOT Pre-Cook Your Pasta: This is a crucial step for a true one-pot dish and optimal flavor. Adding uncooked noodles directly to the skillet allows them to absorb the seasoned chicken broth and sauce as they cook, infusing every strand with delicious Cajun flavor. Pre-cooking the pasta would lead to a bland noodle and a sauce that isn’t as rich.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese is Key: For a smooth, lump-free sauce, always ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This helps it melt and incorporate effortlessly into the warm liquids, creating that silky, creamy consistency we all love. If you forget, you can gently warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Adjust the Spice to Your Liking: The beauty of homemade seasoning is control. If you’re sensitive to heat, start by reducing the cayenne pepper by half, or even a quarter. For those who love an extra kick, feel free to add a bit more! You can always add more spice at the end, but it’s harder to take it away.
- Don’t Skimp on Stirring: When the pasta is simmering in the broth, stir it occasionally (every 2-3 minutes) to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure all the pasta cooks evenly. This also helps distribute the flavors throughout the dish.
- Deglaze for Extra Flavor: After searing the chicken, if you notice any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, add a small splash of chicken broth or even white wine and scrape them up with your spoon. These “fond” bits are packed with flavor and will enhance your sauce.
- Consider Adding More Veggies: This dish is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like sliced mushrooms (sautéed with the onions), fresh spinach (stirred in at the very end until wilted), or even diced green bell peppers for that classic “holy trinity” flavor profile.
Delightful Serving Suggestions
This creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, but pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate your dining experience. Here are some suggestions to round out your meal:
- Crusty Bread or Garlic Bread: There’s nothing quite like fresh, warm garlic bread or a crusty baguette to soak up every last drop of that incredible creamy, spicy sauce. It’s perfect for dipping!
- Fresh Side Salad: To balance the richness of the pasta, serve it alongside a crisp, fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. A simple mix of leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber provides a refreshing contrast.
- Steamed Vegetables: A side of steamed green beans, asparagus, or broccoli can add extra nutrients and a lovely texture to your meal.
- Extra Garnishes: Don’t be shy with the garnishes! A generous sprinkle of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and a vibrant shower of fresh chopped parsley not only add visual appeal but also enhance the flavors. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten the dish and cut through the richness.
Explore More Irresistible Pasta Recipes
If you’re a pasta enthusiast like us, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to enjoy this beloved dish. From light and fresh to rich and hearty, there’s a pasta recipe for every craving. Dive into our collection of other fantastic pasta creations:
- Shrimp Pasta
- Pasta Carbonara
- Mushroom Ravioli
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
- Stuffed Shells
- Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- Scallop Pasta
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Cajun Chicken Pasta
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 ⅕ pounds chicken breasts boneless skinless, about 2 large breasts
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon oregano
- ½ Tablespoon garlic salt
- ½ Tablespoon black pepper
- 1 cup onion yellow or white, chopped
- 12 ounces roasted red bell pepper 1 jar, drained and chopped
- 8 ounces penne pasta uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 ½ ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- shredded parmesan cheese for garnish
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Large heavy bottomed skillet with lid
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Wooden spoon
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Chef’s knife
Before You Begin
- Do not cook the pasta ahead of time. You will add uncooked noodles to the dish and they will cook with the other ingredients, which will allow the flavors to absorb into the noodles.
- 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.
- This is a spicy dish. For less spice, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper by half.
Instructions
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Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
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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.
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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.
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Add roasted red bell pepper.
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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.
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Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese. Stir occasionally until cream cheese is melted and incorporated.
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Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and parsley.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.