Name: One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp thyme; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 Tbsp butter; 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 yellow onion, diced; 1/2 lb. penne pasta; 15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes; 2 cups chicken broth; 2 oz. cream cheese; 3 green onions, sliced

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

There’s just something about Cajun Chicken Pasta that hits like a comfort food power move. It’s rich, creamy, a little spicy, and feels like something you’d order at a restaurant, except this version doesn’t need a reservation, doesn’t take an hour, and definitely doesn’t cost $18 a plate.

This is my “I want something fun for dinner” recipe. It’s what I make when we’re bored of the basics but still want something cozy. Juicy chicken? Check. Pasta in a sauce so good you’ll sneak a spoonful straight from the pan? Absolutely. And the best part? It all comes together in about 30 minutes.

Weeknight fancy. Weekend-worthy. Always a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Pasta

This recipe delivers bold flavor with barely any effort, and zero boring bites.

Dinner in 30: You’re never more than a half-hour away from comfort food greatness.
Big Flavor, Low Fuss: Cajun spice + creamy sauce = flavor explosion with pantry basics.
Totally Customizable: Swap proteins, add veggies, adjust heat, it’s your pasta party.
Family & Date Night Friendly: Feels indulgent but simple enough for any night of the week.
Leftovers That Slap: It reheats like a dream, so make a little extra on purpose.

Cajun Chicken Pasta - EVRYFOODIE — Cajun Chicken Pasta EVRYFOODIE

Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s what makes this creamy Cajun pasta sing:

Chicken Breast or Thighs – Tender, juicy, and perfect for holding onto all that spice.
Cajun Seasoning – Smoky, bold, a little spicy, and totally addictive. Store-bought or homemade.
Pasta – Penne, linguine, fettuccine… whatever you’ve got, it works.
Heavy Cream – Creates a velvety base that soothes the spice.
Parmesan Cheese – Adds depth and saltiness, grate it fresh if you can.
Bell Peppers – Bright, sweet, and colorful.
Garlic & Onion – Foundational flavor builders.
Butter + Olive Oil – The dream team for sautéing and richness.

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Variations & Substitutions

Make it your own, here’s how to riff on it:

Protein Swap: Sub in shrimp, sliced andouille sausage, or a plant-based alternative.
Make It Veggie: Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini to bulk it up without meat.
No Dairy? Use coconut cream or a dairy-free sub and skip the parm.
Gluten-Free? Use GF pasta—everything else works as is.
Dial the Heat: Tone down with less Cajun spice or level up with cayenne or hot sauce.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the Seasoning

Whisk together your Cajun spice blend in a small bowl. Then, toss your diced chicken into a larger bowl and coat it with all that smoky, spicy goodness. Stir until every piece is evenly seasoned—you want full coverage here so the flavor hits from the very first bite.

2. Sear the Chicken

In a deep skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once hot and bubbly, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Let it sear for a few minutes per side—just until golden brown. No need to cook it through just yet—you’ll finish it later.

3. Add the Onion

Toss in the diced onion and give everything a good stir. As it cooks, the onion will help lift all those golden, flavorful bits off the bottom of the pan. Keep sautéing until the onion softens and the pan smells amazing.

4. Add the Pasta + Liquids

Now stir in the uncooked pasta, the fire-roasted tomatoes (juice and all), and the chicken broth. Give everything a nice mix to distribute the ingredients, then cover the skillet and bring it up to a boil.

5. Simmer It Down

Once it hits a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and help the pasta cook evenly. After about 10 minutes, the pasta should be tender and the sauce will have thickened up beautifully.

6. Make It Creamy

Add the cream cheese in small chunks, stirring gently until it fully melts and transforms the sauce into a creamy, dreamy finish. This is where the richness kicks in and balances out all that Cajun heat.

7. Finish + Serve

Top everything with sliced green onions for a little pop of freshness. Serve hot and dig in while it’s steamy and saucy. This one’s a total weeknight winner—and yes, it’s even better the next day.

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A Few Helpful Tips

Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Pull it when it’s just cooked through to keep it juicy.
Go Easy on the Salt: Cajun seasoning and Parmesan are both salty, taste before adding extra.
Want More Veggies? Go for it. This pasta plays well with mushrooms, spinach, or even broccoli.
Leftover Sauce Too Thick? Add a splash of milk or broth before reheating.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Garlic Bread – You will want something to scoop up extra sauce.
Crisp Side Salad – Something fresh and crunchy balances the richness.
Roasted Broccoli – For a warm veggie side with a little char.
A Glass of White Wine – Like a chilled Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Or honestly, sweet tea.

Storage, Reheating, and Freezing Tips

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of milk or cream.
Freeze: Not ideal—the sauce can separate—but the chicken alone freezes well if stored separately.

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FAQ

It has a kick, but it’s not overwhelming. You can always tone it down with less seasoning—or spice it up with a pinch of cayenne.

Totally. Make the sauce and chicken ahead of time, then reheat and toss with pasta when you’re ready to eat.

Whatever you’ve got. Penne and fettuccine work great because they catch all the sauce, but even spaghetti or rigatoni will do.

Sure, swap in half-and-half, milk + a roux, or even a cashew cream for a dairy-free twist.

Enjoying the Cajun Chicken Pasta

This dish isn’t trying to be delicate or dainty, it’s bold, messy-in-a-good-way comfort food that brings the heat and soothes your soul at the same time. It’s what I make when I want pasta with a personality. Whether it’s date night at home, dinner with friends, or just a Tuesday that needs saving, this Cajun Chicken Pasta delivers every time.

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Tried this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you. If you made any tweaks or added your own spin, let us know how it went, we’re all about seeing how y’all make it your own!

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

Author: Jennifer West
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve whipped up a one-pot pasta, but over the weekend I was seriously craving something creamy, a little spicy, a little smoky, and super easy. Enter: this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta. It checks all the boxes, comes together in under an hour, and only uses one pan (bless).

Instructions

Start by mixing up your Cajun seasoning in a small bowl, just stir it all together and set it aside for now.
Cut your chicken into bite-sized cubes (about ½ to ¾ inch). Toss the chicken into a bowl, pour the seasoning over top, and give it a good stir so every piece is coated with that spicy, smoky flavor.
In a large, deep skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foamy and the pan’s nice and hot, add the seasoned chicken. Let it cook for a couple minutes per side, just enough to get some golden color on the outside. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked through yet.
Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté everything together for another 2 minutes or so, just until the onion starts to soften. The moisture from the onion will help lift all those flavorful bits off the bottom of the pan, don’t skip this step!
Now pour in the pasta, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (liquid and all), and the chicken broth. Give it a quick stir so everything is well combined, then cover the pan and bring it to a boil.
Once it hits a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes to keep things from sticking and to help the pasta cook evenly.
When the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened into that perfect, creamy texture, it’s time to add the cream cheese. Drop it in a few chunks at a time and stir until it’s fully melted and blended into the sauce.
Top it all off with sliced green onions and serve it up warm. That’s it, dinner’s done and delicious!