This fast Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta comes is the perfect combo of spicy and creamy! You will love every single thing about this chicken dinner from how easily it comes together, to how delicious and comforting it is.
I am so happy to be partnering with Sutter Home to bring you this incredibly easy weeknight dinner with a kick!
Is there anything better than making an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love?
Yes! Making it with a glass of wine! Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel is perfect for date night and perfect for sipping while cooking!
This delicious cajun chicken pasta comes together in about 30 minutes. It uses my homemade cajun seasoning, and it is WAY better than what your local restaurant serves up. You will LOVE it.
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
This recipe has a few moving parts, but once you get it down, it will be a recipe you fall back on over and over. Make sure to get the full recipe at the bottom of this post.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, pan fry the seasoned chicken that you pounded thin.
- Melt butter, and add garlic, then add flour to make a roux. Slowly whisk in some half and half and let it thicken.
- Stir in parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best).
- Toss it with the pasta and serve the chicken over top.
TIPS SO THIS RECIPE TURNS OUT PERFECT
This recipe is easy to make but there are a few things to keep in mind to help it turn out perfectly.
- It’s a good idea to have all your ingredients out and ready before you begin this recipe. It will make it go more smoothly.
- Pound the chicken thin. It is necessary to make it cook quickly and make this a fast dinner.
- Alternatively, you could slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, though you may need more cajun seasoning to cover them.
- Use an instant read thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked to the correct temperature.
- Don’t let the garlic burn. Keep an eye on your garlic in the butter and if you do happen to burn it, start over. Nothing ruins a recipe faster than burnt garlic.
- After adding the flour, it’s important to slowly whisk in the liquid. It is what leaves you with a nice creamy sauce.
SPICE LEVEL
This recipe can be totally family friendly!
While this recipe does have a little kick to it, you can totally control that by making your own cajun seasoning. My recipe has instructions for how to make it less spicy.
CAJUN INSPIRED RECIPES
Cajun recipes are a favorite of mine. Here are some others you should try!
If you make any of my recipes leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 2 TBSPs extra virgin olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded thin
- 1 1/2 TBSPs Cajun seasoning divided
- 2 TBSPs unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 TBSP all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan plus more for topping
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 diced tomato
- fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken on both sides with 1 TBSP Cajun seasoning. Add to the skillet. Cook for about three minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet, clean it, and return it to the medium heat.
- Melt the butter, add the garlic and sautée for about 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour and cook it for another 30 seconds. Very slowly add the half and half, initially about a tablespoon at a time, so the sauce thickens. Add more quickly after you have added about half a cup.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese and allow it melt completely. Add the remaining 1/2 TBSP Cajun seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the penne to the sauce, top with tomatoes, parsley, parmesan cheese, and the sliced cooked chicken.
- Enjoy immediately!
Caitlin says
What exactly is Cajun seasoning? Can I buy it in a bottle?
It’s a spice mix and sold the same way oregano or cinnamon or other spices are sold.
mblemon says
Can I freeze and reheat? What temp & for how long if so?
This wouldn’t be my choice of meals to freeze and reheat. If you give it a go, let me know how it goes.
Cheryl says
Just made this and it was amazing!!!
Ashley says
Love that you use half and half in this cajun chicken pasta dish! I need to try this version soon.
Angie says
Where did you get your tongs that you used while cooking you chicken in this recipe?
Thanks!
Hi Angie! I actually wouldn’t recommend those. They get stuck sometimes and won’t spring back open when I’m cooking with them. I found these ones on Amazon that are really highly rated and relatively inexpensive.
Aallen says
Instructions are not very clear, this recipe as a whole looks delicious but was not. I was super excited to try this, did everything as instructed (which wasn’t very clear) and it’s really not that good. Definitely have made better.
I’m so sorry that you didn’t like this dish. We’ve made it multiple times and loved it each and every time. I’d love to know which part of the instructions you didn’t find clear, so I can update it. It reads clear to me, but of course I’m the author of it. In the future, the recipes that contain videos (as this one does), might be worth watching to help clarify steps and give you a visual.
Christine Kick says
I made this last night, all I can say is Yum. I added some extra half & half and used chicken thighs!!!!!! It’s a keeper
I’m so happy to hear that you liked it!
Dianna says
Can I replace the half and half with something?
Heavy cream would work
Dianna says
Are the nutritional facts per serving or for the entire 4 servings?
The nutritional information is for 1/4 of the total dish.
Shania Perez says
My boyfriend made this and it came out so so so delicious. He added extra chicken and extra Parmesan (he likes his pasta cheesy). He added 2 tablespoons of butter (on accident lol) but it came out sooooo good!!
I’m so glad you liked it!