One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a cozy skillet dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, Cajun seasoning, garlic, peppers, and a creamy sauce. Everything cooks in one pot, so the pasta soaks up the flavor while the sauce turns rich and smooth.
This recipe is great for busy weeknights when you want something filling without a sink full of dishes. It has a little spice, plenty of creamy comfort, and simple ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
One pot meal: The chicken, pasta, and sauce cook together in the same pan.
Big flavor: Cajun seasoning adds smoky, savory spice without extra work.
Family-friendly: You can make it mild or spicy depending on your taste.
Great weeknight dinner: It is ready in about 35 minutes and feels hearty.
Equipment Needed
Large deep skillet, Dutch oven, or wide pot
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon or spatula
Tongs
Cheese grater, optional
Ingredients List
For the Chicken and Pasta
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces penne pasta
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional
Optional Toppings
Extra Parmesan cheese
Sliced green onions
Red pepper flakes
Fresh parsley
Timing & Servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
How to Make One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Step by Step
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring as needed, until browned and cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pot.
Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they start to soften.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant.
Step 4: Add Pasta and Liquid
Add the dry pasta, chicken broth, heavy cream, remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well, making sure the pasta is mostly covered by the liquid.
Step 5: Simmer the Pasta
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the pasta does not stick.
Cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Step 6: Add Chicken and Cheese
Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. If the sauce looks too thick, add a small splash of broth or cream.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Top with parsley, extra Parmesan, green onions, or red pepper flakes. Serve warm.
Tips for the Best One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Use a deep skillet or wide pot so the pasta cooks evenly and has enough room to move.
- Stir the pasta often while it cooks. This helps prevent sticking and keeps the sauce smooth.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth if your Cajun seasoning is salty. Some store-bought blends contain a lot of salt.
- Do not boil the sauce too hard after adding the cream. A gentle simmer gives the best texture.
- Cut the chicken into similar-size pieces so everything cooks evenly.
- If the pasta needs more time, add a splash of broth and keep cooking for a few more minutes.
Variations to Try
Make it spicier: Add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce.
Use shrimp: Swap the chicken for shrimp and cook it separately for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Add sausage: Sliced smoked sausage or andouille sausage adds extra flavor.
Use a lighter cream: Half-and-half can work, but the sauce will be thinner.
Add vegetables: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or diced tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this pasta with garlic bread, a green salad, roasted broccoli, or steamed green beans.
For a simple dinner plate, add a side of Caesar salad or cucumber tomato salad to balance the creamy pasta.
If you want a bigger meal, serve it with warm breadsticks and extra Parmesan on the side.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
This pasta tastes best fresh because the sauce is creamiest right after cooking.
You can chop the chicken and vegetables up to 1 day ahead. Store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the pasta in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth, milk, or cream. Stir gently until creamy again.
You can also reheat it in the microwave in short intervals, stirring between each one.
Freezing is not recommended because creamy pasta sauces can separate after thawing.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 620
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 55g
- Protein: 38g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Large deep skillet, Dutch oven, or wide pot
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Tongs
- Cheese grater, optional
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning divided
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional
Optional Toppings
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Sliced green onions
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring as needed, until browned and cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pot.
- Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they start to soften.
- Stir in the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until fragrant.
Step 4: Add Pasta and Liquid
- Add the dry pasta, chicken broth, heavy cream, remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir well, making sure the pasta is mostly covered by the liquid.
Step 5: Simmer the Pasta
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the pasta does not stick.
- Cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Step 6: Add Chicken and Cheese
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. If the sauce looks too thick, add a small splash of broth or cream.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Top with parsley, extra Parmesan, green onions, or red pepper flakes. Serve warm.
FAQs
Can I make this pasta less spicy?
Yes. Use a mild Cajun seasoning and start with less than the recipe calls for. You can always add more at the end.
Can I use cooked chicken?
Yes. Add cooked chicken near the end with the Parmesan cheese. This keeps it from drying out.
What pasta works best?
Penne, rotini, rigatoni, or bow tie pasta work well because they hold the creamy sauce nicely.
Why is my sauce too thick?
The pasta may have absorbed more liquid than expected. Stir in a splash of chicken broth, milk, or cream until the sauce loosens.
Conclusion
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a simple, hearty dinner with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and just the right amount of Cajun flavor. It is easy to make, easy to clean up, and a great recipe to keep in your weeknight dinner rotation.