Description

Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken, creamy parmesan sauce, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. This recipe combines spicy, creamy, and cheesy flavors to create a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

250g (8 oz) penne pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)

Chicken and Seasoning

2 chicken breasts, cut into small bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or more if you like it spicy!)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp cooking oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, sliced (you can also use green and yellow, or a combination of colors)

Sauce

1 tbsp butter
½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
1 cup double cream (heavy cream)
½ cup grated parmesan

Garnish

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside. Reserving pasta water helps the sauce cling better to the pasta.
Cook the Cajun Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to coat thoroughly. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the Veggies & Make the Sauce: In the same pan, add butter for flavor. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced red bell pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant. Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes. Add double cream and grated parmesan, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until thick and creamy.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked penne pasta and Cajun chicken to the creamy sauce. Toss well to coat all ingredients in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Garnish & Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh parsley over the pasta. Serve hot with extra parmesan if desired. Optionally, add cayenne pepper or extra Cajun seasoning for more heat.

Notes

Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time if preferred.
Reserve pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency and improve pasta coating.
White wine can be substituted with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option.
Add extra Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper for a spicier dish.
Pair this pasta with garlic bread, a fresh side salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, penne pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe