One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Creamy Spicy Dinner in 30 Minutes
A creamy, spicy one-pot Cajun chicken pasta that’s ready in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights with bold flavor and minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup (150g) bell peppers, diced (mix of red and green)
- 1 medium (150g) onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 8 oz (225g) penne pasta
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Everything First (8 minutes): Dice chicken, chop onion and bell peppers, mince garlic, measure Cajun seasoning and broth, grate Parmesan.
- Sauté the Chicken (5 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, cook 4-5 minutes until browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Cook the Veggies (4 minutes): In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Sauté onions and bell peppers for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Pasta and Liquids (2 minutes): Add penne pasta, chicken broth, remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and scrape browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer Until Pasta is Tender (12 minutes): Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish with Cream, Cheese, and Chicken (4 minutes): Remove lid, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Return chicken to pan, stir gently until sauce is thick and creamy. Heat through 3-4 minutes without boiling.
Notes
[‘Don’t skip browning the chicken to add flavor and texture.’, ‘Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melt and flavor.’, ‘Simmer pasta on medium-low heat and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.’, ‘Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste; start mild and add more if desired.’, ‘Save some pasta water to loosen sauce if it gets too thick.’, ‘Remove pan from heat before adding cheese to avoid clumping.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: one-pot, Cajun chicken pasta, creamy, spicy, easy dinner, weeknight meal, quick pasta, chicken recipe