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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

5 from 25 votes
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posted: 05/08/17

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

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.

a close up of a plate of creamy cajun chicken pasta with the chicken blackened and cut up on a bed of pasta

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.

woman in the kitchen with a glass of Sutter Home White Zinfandel wine

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.

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, pan fry the seasoned chicken that you pounded thin.
  3. Melt butter, and add garlic, then add flour to make a roux. Slowly whisk in some half and half and let it thicken.
  4. Stir in parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best).
  5. Toss it with the pasta and serve the chicken over top.
overhead view of a plate of spicy and creamy chicken pasta on a plate with two glasses of rose

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.

side view of a plate of creamy cajun chicken pasta, an easy chicken recipe garnished with fresh parmesan, parsley and diced tomatoes with two glasses of wine in the background

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!

5 from 25 votes

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Serves: 4 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 16 minutes
Total: 21 minutes
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta comes together so fast! This easy chicken dinner recipe is the perfect combo of spicy and creamy!

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!
Calories: 453kcal (23%) Carbohydrates: 30.6g (10%) Protein: 40.2g (80%) Fat: 23.9g (37%) Saturated Fat: 19.9g (124%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 6.6g Cholesterol: 126.2mg (42%) Sodium: 711.8mg (31%) Potassium: 342.5mg (10%) Fiber: 2.5g (10%) Sugar: 4.2g (5%) Vitamin A: 1516IU (30%) Vitamin C: 51.4mg (62%) Calcium: 208.5mg (21%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Lynn says

    5 stars
    Made this last night everyone loved it! Will be one of our go to from now on!!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so happy you liked it Lynn!

  2. Vanessa says

    5 stars
    Oh yum! This was definitely a hit! I added sliced turkey andouille sausage instead of chicken breasts and used 1T of cajun seasoning in the sauce instead of 1/2. Super creamy and flavorful, plus easy to boot! I’ll for sure be making this again!

    • Lisa Longley says

      So glad your family liked it Vanessa!

  3. Betty says

    5 stars
    Made this last night. My husband and I both loved it. Tastes great!

    • Lisa Longley says

      So glad to hear it, Betty! Thank you for letting me know.

  4. Karen says

    Okay, I can’t believe that I’ve never had cajun seasoning, even as a self declared foodie. But this recipe looks amazing and I want to give it a go. Do you think the pre-made cajun seasoning is a lot spicier than your version? Just curious as I’m a lazy cook :) but honestly yours probably looks better and I’m sure tastes much better too!

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hahaha! You sound just like me. I’m a foodie, but lazy. Okay. I will always always advocate for making your own spice mix, but don’t not make this because of that. Before I made Cajun seasoning, I bought it, and never found it to be a lot spicier.

  5. Megan says

    5 stars
    I made this tonight and it was delicious! (I did omit the tomatoes and parsley)
    Thanks for the easy and yummy recipe!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so happy you liked it, Megan!

  6. Tamela says

    5 stars
    This was delicious! My family loved it and they constantly ask me to make it.

    • Lisa Longley says

      So glad to hear that!

  7. Tamela says

    5 stars
    I have made this several times. My family loves it!

  8. Dawn McKinley says

    5 stars
    Wow! Not Italian, not Mexican, not plain old chicken and noodles…I loved it. Used boneless thighs, pounded thin, and had roasted red pepper leftover in my fridge that I subbed for tomatoes. I added some roasted red pepper mayo’ I had in the fridge to the sauce. Used up green and yellow peppers, diced, and BAM! Loved it. Made your Cajun spice instead of Old Bay..glad I did! Thanks for a new recipe in my collection!!!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you liked it!

  9. Carolyn Deutsch says

    5 stars
    The bomb… absolutely yummy!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you like it!

  10. Deboria says

    5 stars
    Looks amazing and will be able to get on the table quickly.
    Thank you

    • Lisa Longley says

      You’re welcome!

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