If you’re craving a restaurant-quality pasta dish that’s bold, creamy, and loaded with irresistible Cajun flavor, then this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is exactly what you need. Tender slices of juicy chicken, sautéed bell peppers, garlic, and onions, tossed in a rich Cajun-spiced cream sauce—this dish is the perfect balance of heat, comfort, and indulgence. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.
Whether you love spicy food or just want to elevate your pasta night, this creamy Cajun pasta delivers everything: flavor, comfort, and a touch of Louisiana heat.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a must-try:
✔ Bold Cajun Flavor
Seasoned chicken + Cajun spices = deep, smoky heat.
✔ Ultra Creamy Sauce
Heavy cream, parmesan, and spices blend into a silky, rich sauce.
✔ One-Pan Meal
Minimal cleanup with maximum flavor.
✔ Ready in 30 Minutes
Perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
✔ Customizable
Adjust the spice level, add veggies, or make it lighter—your choice.
🍽️ Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (extra for flavor)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
🧑🍳 How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 — Cook the Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2 — Season and Sear the Chicken
Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken 5–7 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
Transfer to a plate.
Step 3 — Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pan, melt the butter.
Add:
- Onion
- Bell peppers
- Garlic
Sauté 4–5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Step 4 — Build the Cajun Cream Sauce
Pour in:
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
Add:
- Cajun seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper
Stir well, then simmer 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens.
Step 5 — Add Parmesan
Stir in Parmesan until melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
Step 6 — Combine Everything
Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce.
Toss to coat everything evenly.
Step 7 — Serve
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, extra Parmesan, or a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning.
🔥 Tips for Perfect Cajun Chicken Pasta
⭐ Use good Cajun seasoning
Different brands vary in heat—start with less and adjust.
⭐ Don’t overcook the chicken
Thin strips cook quickly; remove from heat as soon as they’re done.
⭐ Let the sauce simmer gently
A gentle simmer allows it to thicken without separating.
⭐ Freshly grated parmesan melts best
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents.
⭐ Add pasta water only if needed
If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it.
🌶️ Adjusting the Heat Level
This dish is easy to customize for spice lovers—or those who like it milder.
To Make Milder:
- Use only 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Add more cream
- Skip the extra paprika
To Make Spicier:
- Add red pepper flakes
- Use spicy Cajun seasoning
- Add hot sauce (like Louisiana or Tabasco)
🥦 Add-Ins and Variations
1. Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Swap chicken for shrimp or combine both.
2. Veggie-Loaded Cajun Pasta
Add:
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
3. Lightened-Up Cajun Pasta
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Or replace some cream with Greek yogurt.
4. Tomato Cajun Pasta
Add:
- 1 cup fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
5. Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Use fettuccine and more parmesan for an Alfredo-style twist.
🧊 How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Freezer
Creamy pasta sauces don’t freeze perfectly, but if you want to freeze it:
- Freeze the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta
- Add pasta after reheating
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat.
Add a splash of broth or cream to restore the sauce.
⚖️ Nutrition (Approx per serving)
Will vary based on pasta type and cream used.
- Calories: 550–700
- Protein: 30–35g
- Carbs: 45–55g
- Fat: 25–35g
📌 Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Printable Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast strips
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or linguine)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta and set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning; sear until cooked through.
- Sauté onions, peppers, and garlic.
- Add cream, broth, Cajun seasoning, and paprika. Simmer until thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan.
- Add pasta and chicken back to the skillet; toss.
- Serve hot with parsley and extra cheese.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is bold, rich, and bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect blend of spicy Cajun seasoning, tender chicken, and a velvety cream sauce—an irresistible combination that turns any meal into a special occasion. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or simply craving something delicious after a long day, this pasta dish will become a repeat favorite.
Print
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta: A Spicy, Flavor-Packed Dinner Ready in 30 Minutes
Ingredients
• 8 oz penne or rigatoni (or gluten-free pasta)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken breast or thighs, sliced into strips
• 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1–2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or homemade: ½ tsp each paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano; ¼ tsp cayenne, thyme, black pepper)
• ½ cup dry white wine (optional, or sub with chicken broth)
• ½ cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm olive oil. Sauté chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add bell pepper and onion. Cook 5–6 minutes until tender-crisp. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning and cook 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Pour in white wine (if using) and simmer 1–2 minutes to deglaze the pan.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, cheese, and butter (if using). Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Return chicken to the pan. Add cooked pasta and toss gently to coat. Warm through 1–2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning—add more spice, salt, or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or green onions.
✨ Great with garlic bread or a crisp green salad!
💡 Make it heartier: Add mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 10 mins , Cook Time : 20 mins , Total Time : 30 mins , Servings : 4 , Calories : 480 , Net Carbs: 38g , Fats: 22g , Protein: 30g