My Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is the perfect combination of spicy and creamy. You will love this quick and comforting 30-minute chicken and pasta dinner.
This delicious creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe has been a family favorite for years now. And honestly, it has been a hit with all of you as well! You should check out some of the reviews on this dreamy creamy pasta dish.
This great dinner starts with my homemade Cajun seasoning, and the end result is a perfect weeknight dinner. Everyone in my family loves this dinner, even my picky eaters, and I know that it is going to be a hit in your house too.
Made this last night everyone loved it! Will be one of our go to from now on!!
How to Make Creamy Cajun 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. Get your water boiling right away while you get your other ingredients ready. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Cook the chicken. While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken on both sides with Cajun seasoning. Cook for about three minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make the creamy sauce. Melt butter, and add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour to make a roux. Slowly whisk in some half and half and let it thicken.
- Add the cheese. Stir in Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best). Add the remaining Cajun seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Put it all together. Toss the sauce with the cooked pasta, then top with tomatoes, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and the sliced cooked chicken. Enjoy!
Instant-Read Thermometer
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
I love making my own seasoning mixes because I typically already have the spices to make it on hand. This simple seasoning mix comes together with paprika, kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.
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.
5 Minute Cajun Seasoning Recipe
Tips and Tricks
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. This is necessary to make it cook quickly and make this a fast dinner. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to do this.
- Alternatively, you could make chicken cutlets by slicing the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, though you may need more Cajun seasoning to cover them.
- 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. This is what gives you a nice creamy sauce.
Make This With Shrimp
You can also make this creamy pasta recipe with shrimp instead of chicken! Follow the steps in the recipe linked in the box below.
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. To get the original creaminess of the dish while reheating, you may need to add in a little bit of heavy cream or half and half.
Other Cajun-Inspired Recipes
Cajun recipes are a favorite of mine. Here are some others you should try!
If you make this creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe or 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 ounces penne pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded thin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon 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
- Bring a large pot of water to a raging boil, seasoning it with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add the pasta and cook it for the length of time indicated on the package so the pasta is al dente. Drain the past once it's done and set it aside. Read all my tips on cooking pasta here: How to Cook Pasta.8 ounces penne pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Season the chicken on both sides with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (total for the chicken). Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Remove the chicken from the skillet. Clean the pan and return it to the medium heat.
- Melt the butter, add the garlic, and sauté for about 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour and cook for another 30 seconds. 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. The whole process should take less than a minute.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups half and half
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and allow it to melt completely. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.1/3 cup grated Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste
- Add the penne to the sauce, top with diced tomatoes, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and the sliced cooked chicken. Enjoy immediately!1 diced tomato, fresh parsley
Recipe Video
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!