Eating out at a restaurant can get pricy sometimes so I lean towards cooking this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta on days I want something indulgent but easy to make. I think you'll agree if you try my recipe!
What Is Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta?
Creamy Cajun chicken pasta is a comforting pasta dish made with Cajun-spiced chicken and a rich cream sauce featuring garlic, parmesan, and a touch of red chili flakes. The Cajun seasoning gives it that smoky, slightly spicy Southern-inspired flavor, while the heavy cream and cheese mellow everything out into a silky, luscious sauce.
Why You’ll Love Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Big, Bold Flavor: The Cajun seasoning brings smoky heat and depth, while the parmesan cream sauce smooths it all out.
- Weeknight Friendly: From start to finish, this easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta comes together in less than 30 minutes.
- Comfort Food Vibes: It’s rich, creamy, and so satisfying, maybe even more so than your favorite restaurant!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Medium pot
- Large skillet
- Colander
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun Chicken
- Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless for healthy, lean protein that cooks quickly.
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cajun seasoning: For a smoky, spicy Southern-inspired flavor.
- Olive oil
Cajun Pasta
- Dry spaghetti: I like spaghetti for this pasta but you can use any desired noodles.
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic
- Shallot
- Diced tomatoes: Adds fresh acidity and texture to balance the cream. I used canned but you can use fresh too.
- Heavy cream: Creates the silky, creamy sauce.
- Reserved pasta water: Helps loosen and emulsify the sauce.
- Cajun seasoning: Boosts the signature spicy flavor.
- Red chili flakes: For extra heat but adjust to your taste!
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Adds creaminess to the dish. Make sure to use freshly grated!
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped parsley
Customizations
- Make It Milder: Use less Cajun seasoning and skip the red chili flakes for a gentler heat level.
- Add Veggies: Toss in sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra color and nutrition.
- Swap the Pasta: Penne or fettuccine work beautifully if you don’t have spaghetti on hand.
- Lighten It Up: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, keeping in mind the sauce will be slightly less rich.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Season and Cook the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.
Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and shallot and sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, Cajun seasoning, and red chili flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
Combine and Serve
Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Slice the chicken and place it over the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan before serving.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
Tips to Make the Perfect Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Thinly sliced chicken cooks quickly so pull it off the heat as soon as it’s done to keep it juicy.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts more smoothly into the sauce and gives better flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
- Reserve That Pasta Water: A little starchy water makes the sauce silky and helps it cling to the pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this spicy?
It has a gentle kick from the Cajun seasoning and red chili flakes, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. You can easily adjust the heat by using less Cajun seasoning or skipping the chili flakes.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and tend to be even juicier. Just adjust cooking time as needed.
Can I make this creamy Cajun chicken pasta without heavy cream?
You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version. The sauce will be a bit thinner but still delicious. For a dairy-free option, try full-fat coconut milk but it will slightly change the flavor profile.
What vegetables go well in Cajun chicken pasta?
Bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or even broccoli are great additions. Sauté them before adding the cream for best texture.
Can I make it ahead of time?
It’s best fresh, but you can prepare the sauce and chicken ahead. Store separately and combine with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
Cajun Chicken
- 1 chicken breast boneless and skinless sliced in half horizontally
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cajun Pasta
- 8 oz dry spaghetti
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes canned or fresh
- 1.25 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 1.5 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water then drain the pasta.8 oz dry spaghetti
- Pat the chicken dry then season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.1 chicken breast, ½ tsp salt, Freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1 Tbsp olive oil
- In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and shallot and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the diced tomatoes, heavy cream, reserved pasta water, Cajun seasoning, and red chili flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer.3 Tbsp unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, 1 shallot, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1.25 cup heavy cream, ½ cup reserved pasta water, 1.5 Tbsp Cajun seasoning, ½ tsp red chili flakes
- Add the parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and simmer the sauce until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, ½ tsp salt, Freshly ground black pepper
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Turn off the heat, transfer pasta to a plate, then slice the chicken and place it on top of the pasta.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra freshly grated parmesan before serving.2 Tbsp chopped parsley
RosemaryG says
Delicious!!! So easy to prepare. I had on hand leftover rotisserie chicken and used that instead of cooking chicken breasts. Even easier and it still turned out perfect. This recipe is a keeper!
Herman says
Great way to use up your leftovers, so happy you loved it!