Description

This Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta combines perfectly seasoned chicken with a luscious, cheesy, and creamy sauce tossed with tender penne pasta. It’s a spicy, rich comfort meal that’s quick to make, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. The dish features a harmonious mix of Cajun spices, savory parmesan, and vibrant bell peppers, all brought together in a buttery garlic sauce, finished with fresh parsley garnish for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

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

Chicken

2 chicken breasts, cut into small bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or more for extra spice)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp cooking oil

Sauce & Vegetables

1 tbsp butter
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, sliced (or a mix of green and yellow)
½ cup white wine (or chicken broth as substitute)
1 cup double cream (heavy cream)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra parmesan for serving (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set pasta aside.
Cook the Cajun Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables and Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, add diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the double cream and grated parmesan cheese, and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet with the creamy Cajun sauce. Toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, and serve immediately. Optionally, add extra parmesan cheese or a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra Cajun seasoning for added heat.

Notes

You can substitute white wine with chicken broth if preferred or to keep it alcohol-free.
Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can be used in place of raw chicken breasts for quicker prep.
Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your heat preference; add cayenne pepper for extra spiciness.
Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and ensure it clings well to the pasta.
Serve with garlic bread or a fresh side salad to balance the richness.

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

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, one-pan meal, creamy Cajun sauce, penne pasta recipe