If you’re craving a comforting, flavor-packed dinner, this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta delivers. Tender chicken seasoned with Cajun spices is sautéed with the classic Cajun “holy trinity”—green bell pepper, onion, and celery—and finished in a luxuriously creamy, slightly spicy sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
This dish balances heat and creaminess beautifully; adjust the spice to taste by increasing or reducing the red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning.
Ingredients for Cajun chicken pasta
Pasta: A sturdy shape like fusilli or penne soaks up the creamy Cajun sauce.
Chicken breast: Boneless, seasoned with Cajun spices, and cooked until juicy and tender.
Cajun seasoning: Brings the signature Southern heat and bold flavor.
Holy trinity: Green bell pepper, onion, and celery create a savory, aromatic base.
Garlic: Minced garlic adds depth and aroma.
Heavy cream: Forms the rich, silky sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
How to make creamy Cajun chicken pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While the water heats, season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
Heat a skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Sear the chicken until cooked through (about 4 minutes per side for thin-cut breasts), then remove and set aside. In the same pan, lower the heat slightly and add butter. Sauté the diced green pepper, onion, and celery with red pepper flakes for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic during the last 30 seconds.
Add the heavy cream and a small extra pinch of Cajun seasoning, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 7 minutes. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
Turn off the heat, stir in the grated Parmesan until melted, then slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine; if the sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes. Penne, fusilli, fettuccine or even spaghetti all work—choose a shape that will hold the sauce and your preference.
Garlic bread or a crisp green salad complement the rich pasta well and help balance the meal.
Increase Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes for more heat, or reduce them for a milder dish.
You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead, but cook the pasta fresh when possible. Reheat the sauce gently with a splash of cream to restore its texture.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
- ½ lb pasta
- 1 boneless chicken breast
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- ½ tsp Red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ¼ cup Heavy cream
- ½ c Parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Slice the chicken breast in half and pound to an even thickness. Season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Cook the chicken about 4 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and reduce the heat slightly. Sauté green pepper, onion, and celery with red pepper flakes for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic for the last 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and add a small extra pinch of Cajun seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 7 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, stir in the Parmesan until smooth, slice the chicken, and return it to the pan. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
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Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 49g
| Protein: 27g
| Fat: 42g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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