Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta With Creamy Sauce
By admin / August 19, 2026 / No Comments / Delicious Recepies
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta With Creamy Sauce
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: about 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1½–2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
For the pasta
- 300–350 g (10–12 oz) penne or fettuccine
- 1 teaspoon salt, for the pasta water
For the creamy sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small bell pepper, sliced or diced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Optional: Add sliced mushrooms, spinach, or a little red chili flakes for extra flavor.
Step 1: Season the chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Add:
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- A small pinch of salt
Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
Tip: Cajun seasoning can already contain quite a bit of salt, so don’t add too much extra salt.
Step 2: Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add about 1 teaspoon of salt, then add the pasta.
Cook according to the package directions until al dente—tender but still slightly firm in the center.
Before draining, save about ½ cup of pasta water.
Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Why save the pasta water? The starchy water can help loosen the sauce and make it silky and creamy if the sauce becomes too thick.
Step 3: Cook the Cajun chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through.
The chicken should reach 165°F / 74°C internally.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate.
Don’t clean the skillet—the browned bits left behind will add lots of flavor to the sauce.
Step 4: Cook the vegetables
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet.
Add the chopped onion and bell pepper.
Cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5: Make the creamy Cajun sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet.
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape the browned pieces from the bottom of the pan.
Let the broth simmer for about 1–2 minutes.
Now pour in the heavy cream.
Add:
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning, if using
Stir well.
Reduce the heat to low-medium and let the sauce gently simmer for about 3–5 minutes.
Don’t boil the cream aggressively, as it can cause the sauce to separate.
Step 6: Add Parmesan
Add the grated Parmesan cheese a little at a time while stirring continuously.
Continue stirring until the Parmesan melts into the sauce.
The sauce should become smooth, creamy, and slightly thick.
If it gets too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
If it’s too thin, let it simmer gently for another minute or two.
Step 7: Add the chicken and pasta
Return the cooked Cajun chicken to the skillet.
Add the drained pasta.
Gently toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated with the creamy Cajun sauce.
Cook together for about 1–2 minutes so the pasta absorbs some of the sauce and the flavors combine.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
You can add more Cajun seasoning for extra spice, Parmesan for more cheesiness, or a splash of pasta water for a thinner sauce.
Step 8: Serve
Turn off the heat.
Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and a little extra Parmesan over the top.
🔥 Tips for the best Cajun chicken pasta
- Don’t overcook the chicken. Cut it into similar-sized pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan if possible—it melts much more smoothly.
- Control the spice. Start with less Cajun seasoning and add more at the end.
- Don’t boil the cream hard. A gentle simmer gives you a smoother sauce.
- Save pasta water. It’s the easiest way to adjust the sauce consistency.
- For extra richness, add 1–2 tablespoons cream cheese along with the Parmesan.
- For a smoky flavor, add a little smoked paprika.
- For extra vegetables, add mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli.
🍽️ Easy serving idea
Serve the pasta with garlic bread and a simple green salad. The creamy Cajun sauce is rich, so something fresh and crunchy on the side balances the meal nicely.