Cajun Chicken Pasta
This Cajun Chicken Pasta is an explosion of flavors that will satisfy your cravings. Tender chicken, al dente penne, and a creamy, zesty sauce come together in perfect harmony.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Who doesn’t love quick and easy recipes on weeknights? My hand is raised because I hate cooking and cleaning for hours after an 8-hour workday.
With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe keeps the prep work simple and straightforward.
You only need to chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic.
The Cajun seasoning takes care of the flavoring, so you don’t need to gather an extensive list of spices. Less time prepping means more time enjoying the delicious results!
Also, This recipe utilizes a single skillet or large pan for most of the cooking process.
After sautéing the chicken, you can add the cream, tomatoes, seasonings, and penne to the same pan.
This reduces the number of dishes to clean and allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Plus, the pasta absorbs some of the flavorful sauce, ensuring each strand is infused with deliciousness.
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But the big win is how it tastes! Combining Cajun seasoning, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices creates an explosion of flavors.
The zesty Cajun seasoning infuses the chicken with a tantalizing heat, while the sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of sweet tanginess.
It’s a flavor-packed adventure for your palate! An easy recipe with juicy chicken, a little heat, and tender pasta. A complete meal packed with flavor for those busy weeknights!
If you would like a side dish to accompany this fabulous pasta, our Arugula Fennel Salad would go great with it. Don’t forget some freshly baked Italian bread to round out the meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Penne Pasta: Penna is a type of pasta that pairs well with creamy sauces. It adds texture and serves as the dish’s base, absorbing the sauce’s flavors.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The chicken serves as the main protein source and adds substance to the dish. It is seasoned with Cajun seasoning to impart a spicy and flavorful taste. Chicken thighs work as well.
- Cajun seasoning: This blend of spices, including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and various herbs, adds a distinctive Cajun flavor profile to the chicken. It provides a spicy and smoky kick to the dish.
- Butter: Butter is used for sautéing the seasoned chicken. It helps cook the chicken and adds richness to the overall flavor.
- Heavy whipping cream: The cream creates a creamy and luscious sauce for the pasta. It adds richness and smoothness to the dish, balancing out the spiciness of the Cajun seasoning.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor to the dish. They provide a hint of acidity and enhance the overall taste.
- Salt, dried basil, and fresh ground black pepper: These seasonings add additional layers of flavor and enhance the taste of the dish. Salt provides overall seasoning, dried basil adds an herbal note, and black pepper contributes a subtle heat.
- Garlic: The minced garlic adds a savory and aromatic flavor to the sauce. It complements the other ingredients and adds depth to the overall taste. Use fresh!
- Green onions: Green onions, also known as scallions, are used as a garnish and add a fresh and mild onion flavor. They provide a pop of color and a subtle crunch to the dish.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is sprinkled over the pasta to add a salty and nutty flavor. It also adds a creamy texture to the dish when melted. Use the good stuff!
How To Make Cajun Chicken Pasta
Place a pot of water on to boil. Cook pasta al dente according to the package directions.
Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-size pieces.
Place the chicken in a bowl, sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over it, and toss to coat.
Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and diced chicken breast.
Allow the chicken to cook on one side, developing a good sear.
Continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes, 165 degrees F internal temperature.
To be sure that the chicken is done, you can use an instant-read thermometer.
Reduce the heat to low and add sun-dried tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute allowing the garlic and spices to bloom a bit.
Next, add the cream and stir to combine well.
Increase the heat back up to a simmer and cook long enough to heat through.
Add the pasta and stir to coat with the sauce. The sauce will thicken after a few minutes of tossing the pasta.
Next, add the parmesan cheese and green onions (reserve some for an optional garnish) and mix to combine.
The sauce will thicken up at this point. Give it a taste, and add salt and pepper to your preferred tastes.
Garnish with the green onions. Bam, and done! Easy dinner.
An incredibly flavorful pasta dish that’s a super quick meal ready in under 20 minutes! This creamy pasta dish is one of our favorite recipes!
Tips And Variations
- The Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick to the dish, but everyone’s spice tolerance differs. Start by following the recipe’s recommended amount of Cajun spice, but feel free to adjust it according to your personal preference. If you prefer milder flavors, use a bit less, or if you love heat, you can add a bit more. Taste as you go and season to your liking.
- This dish creates a thick sauce. If you want a looser sauce, just add an additional 1/2 cup of heavy cream than the recipe calls for.
- When sautéing the chicken, it’s important to avoid overcooking it, as it can result in dry and tough meat. Cook the chicken just until it’s tender and cooked through, which usually takes around 5 to 7 minutes.
- For a vegetarian twist, incorporate a colorful assortment of vegetables into the dish. Sauté an array of veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions, along with the Cajun-seasoned chicken. The vibrant vegetables will add freshness, crunch, and a variety of flavors to the pasta, creating a wholesome and satisfying vegetarian version.
- If you’re a fan of seafood, consider adding shrimp and sausage to the dish. Sauté the shrimp and sliced sausage along with the chicken, using the Cajun seasoning to season them as well. This addition brings a delightful combination of flavors and textures to the pasta, with the succulent shrimp and savory sausage complementing the Cajun spices perfectly.
- You can use half and half, but the sauce will be much thinner and not as rich.
FAQs
This dish is best fresh! Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container for about three days. When ready to reheat, add a little more cream or chicken stock and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
Absolutely! While penne works well in this recipe, you can substitute it with other pasta shapes of your choice. Fettuccine, spaghetti, or rotini would all be great alternatives. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions for the specific pasta shape you’re using.
Yes, you can use lighter options if you prefer. Instead of heavy whipping cream, you can try using half-and-half or light cream to reduce the richness of the sauce. Keep in mind that using lighter creams may result in a slightly thinner sauce consistency, so you might need to adjust the amount or thicken it with a little cornstarch slurry if desired.
Absolutely! The spice level can be adjusted to your preference. If you prefer a spicier Cajun chicken pasta, you can increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Conversely, if you prefer a milder version, you can reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or use a mild version of the seasoning blend. Taste as you go and adjust the spice level accordingly to suit your taste buds.
More Delicious Recipes
Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1″ pieces
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 3 tsp cajun seasoning
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 – 2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes diced
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
- 1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup green onions
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente as instructed on the box.8 oz penne pasta
- Place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 3 tsp cajun seasoning
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté chicken in butter until chicken is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.2 Tbsp butter
- Reduce heat and add tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic, black pepper, and heat throgh about 1 minute.2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp dried basil, 1 clove garlic, 1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- Add the heavy cream and increase the heat to a simmer. Allow to cook a couple of minutes to thicken.1 1/2 – 2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Pour over the cooked penne pasta and toss with parmesan cheese and green onions.1/4 cup green onions, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Serve hot, garnish with additional green onions (optional).
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from plainchicken
Way tasty dish! Just enough heat. Love the sundried tomatoes! Kicked this dish up a notch. I’m certainly going to make this again.
I made this yesterday and added spinach it was delicious
Delicious! Added fresh mushrooms along with tomatoes. Used half and half because it’s what I had on hand. (Used only 2 tsp. Of Cajun seasoning). Will use this recipe again.
Super tasty recipe and easy to put together. Thank you!!