I was thinking it’s about time for another awesome 30-minute-meal post here on the blog! Sooooo…..I give you this super easy, super yummy Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta! Remember awhile back when I shared this Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta recipe (which also happens to be a 30-minute-meal!)? Well, it was so well received that I just knew I had to make a spin off of it. And the great thing about these pasta dishes (besides how EASY they are) is that you can throw in any type of vegetables. I just use what I have on hand! This cajun dish would be particularly tasty with some bell peppers and onion. I love broccoli though, and that’s what I had on hand, and it was completely delicious!
Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 oz . bowtie pasta (or your favorite type)
- 1 head of broccoli , cut into pieces* (see note below)
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 lb boneless , skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 - 3 tsp Cajun seasoning , to taste (I use Joe's Stuff or Weber N’Orleans Cajun)
- 4 oz cream cheese , softened and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt , more to taste, if needed
Instructions
-
Add pasta to a large pot of boiling water. Cook until noodles are tender, but add the broccoli to the pot of boiling pasta water about 1 minute before the noodles are done. Drain and set aside.
-
In a large pot or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the chicken pieces and season with cajun seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the cream cheese, stirring well until melted and smooth, 2-3 minutes. Gradually add milk and stir until it's fully incorporated into the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is the desired consistency. Add broccoli and hot cooked pasta and stir to combine.
Recipe Notes
*I usually just throw in whatever vegetables I have on hand. A more authentic cajun dish would include red and yellow bell peppers.
Keri says
Looks yummy, I’ll have to try it!
Becky @ lovetobeinthekitchen says
This looks amazing! It’s going on my dinner list!
Rachel @ The Stay At Home Chef says
I may need this for dinner. And I just so happen to have all the ingredients on hand!
Stacey says
have just made this and it is amazing! Will definitely be making again!!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Stacey! Glad you liked it!
jewel says
Hi Lauren! I found this recipe on pinterest and tried it. I am a huge pasta lover and this recipe was beyond amazing. I will definitely be making it again and for my family whenever I visit home. I loved it so much, that I’ll most likely be making my own Alfredo sauce from now. THANKS!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks for your nice comment–I’m so happy you liked it! 🙂 Homemade pasta sauce is the best!
Vanessa says
Could you use frozen broccoli with this?
Lauren Allen says
Sure! Just cook it according the package directions and then add it to the pasta!
Salima says
This looks delicious. I’ve never made Alfredo with cream cheese before, I am excited to try this recipe! I think asparagus could be substituted for broccoli and it would taste great too.
Michaela says
This is a really good recipe. I am the cook of the family and always love trying new things. The cream cheese usage is a good attribute. I tend to use it with soups and sauces rather than half/half.
Even better, my whole family (including the kids) LOVE it. 🙂
Beth says
This looks delicious! My last Cajun pasta attempt was a disaster so I’m excited to try this. Do you think light cream cheese could be substituted?
Lauren Allen says
Hi Beth, you can definitely use light cream cheese! This recipe is super easy and yummy–hope you like it!
Amber says
I used plain Greek yogurt instead!! Instead of 400cal & 40g of fat, I was able to get away with 110cal & 7g of fat for 4 oz! Still tasted amazing!!
Bev says
Might sound like a stupid question, but does anyone know where to buy Jars of Alfredo Sauce in Britain ?
All the usual, well known supermarkets don’t seem 2 have it, or even have a clue what it is when you ask !!!
Lauren Allen says
I would just make the alfredo sauce from scratch–it’s really easy and you should easily be able to find the ingredients–parmesan cheese, butter, garlic, milk.
Lindsay says
this looks yummy… I’m trying it tonight but am substituting shrimp for the chicken 🙂
jessica says
On the garlic are you suppose to cut it out throw it in whole? Do you take it out afterwards or leave it in there? I’m making this today so i would really appreciate your answer. .
Lauren Allen says
Hi Jessica, you will want to mince the garlic with a garlic press (or remove the shell and cut it in really tiny pieces) before you add it to the pan. 🙂 Let me know how you like it!
ZoeyT says
Made it tonight, we all really enjoyed it. Thank you!
Araceli says
yuummm! I have to try this, looks so good!!!
Jessica says
I’m going to make this tonight! My husband LOVES Cajun Chicken Alfredo!
Jessica says
What are the calories for this dish?
Lauren Allen says
Hi Jessica, there are about 600 calories per serving.
Morgan says
Do you pre cook the chicken breast before adding it into the mixture?
Lauren Allen says
Nope– add them raw and saute them in the pan! 🙂
Jen says
Should the chicken be already cooked?
Lauren Allen says
No, you use raw chicken and add it to the skillet with the butter and garlic in step two. 🙂
Alaina says
Made this for dinner tonight. It turned out pretty good. With the exception, that I got a little carried away with the cajun seasoning. Lol
Amanda says
i just made this tonight and it was so yummy!!! I plan to make this dish again. Thank you for sharing this
Morgan says
Do you precook the chicken before adding it to the mixture?
Morgan says
Sorry, I just saw your reply:)
Lisa Scovill says
Might be a silly question but do you cook the chicken before you add it?
Lauren Allen says
Nope, just add the raw chicken and cook it in them pan 🙂
Erin mayfield says
Just made this for dinner and added the peppers. Delicious!!!!!!:)
Amber says
I just made this tonight for my boyfriend & I. I wanted to use the asparagus I had on hand along with some red pepper instead of the broccoli. I sauteed the asparagus for a couple minutes then tossed into the finished product. I also changed up the receipe a little bit to make it a little bit healthier. Instead of using cream cheese, I used 4 oz (1/2 c) plain Greek yogurt & 1/2 cup skim milk instead of the recommended 1 cup. We couldn’t tell the difference & it was sooo good! Definitely going to make this again! Thanks for sharing!
Ciara says
I made this tonight skinny version.No butter & the lightest Philadelphia cream cheese I could find.I added yellow peppers & broccoli left out the salt.Will be making this again for sure.It was scrumdidlumscious☺
Lauren Allen says
That sounds awesome! Always a fan of making things skinnier–happy to your your changes turned out yummy!
Katie says
I’ve been drooling over this recipe for a few days and I’m finally going to make it tonight. Question, though – I don’t have fresh Parmesan on hand. Could I substitute grated Romano? I’ve never made my own Alfredo sauce before and just want to be sure it will work out well.
Thank you!
Lauren Allen says
Hi Katie, you could definitely substitute Romano–it will change the flavor a tiny bit but it should still tastes delicious! Let me know how you like it!
Katie says
This was PHENOMINAL. I’ll be honest, halfway through preparing I had some serious doubts, as all of had at some point when getting a recipe off the internet. Especially since this one was so easy. But it blew my and my husband’s expectations out of the water. It tasted like order out! Thank you!!
(I used the Romano, and for the Cajun seasoning I used the Louisiana Seasoning blend in the 2015 February/March issue of Cook’s Country.)
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Katie! I’m so happy you and your husband liked it!! Thanks for coming back to comment 🙂
LaToya says
Absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
Hillary says
i wanna cook the red and green bell pepper with it instead. Do I cook that with the meat? And how long would I cook it? Love trying new recipes but always second guess myself
Lauren Allen says
Hi Hillary, you could throw it in to saute with the chicken 🙂 Hope you like it!
Catie says
Should the broccoli still be hard when the meal is finished? Putting it in the water with the noodles for just one minute doesn’t seem like it would do enough. Let me know please 🙂
I am making this tonight it looks delicious!
Lauren Allen says
Hi Catie, You can cook the broccoli for as long as you like–I like mine blanched, so that it’s not soft. But you could throw it in the water with the pasta a few minutes earlier!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This sounds really really good, and I’m glad that you added broccoli! I need to try it with some GF pasta!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks! I bet it would be great with Gluten Free pasta!
T Austin says
I love chicken alfredo anything! Thank you for sharing! This looks amazing!
Lauren Allen says
Me too–it’s always a favorite at our house! Thanks Austin.
Jessica says
Looks yummy! I know what I am cooking tonight! Thanks for the inspiration!
Lauren Allen says
Thanks Jessica! Hope you like it!
Lola Who says
This was really delicious!
Really great recipe for someone who can’t cook 😀
Josefina says
Deliciosas recetas…leo Inglés pero para felicitarlos….en Español..!!!
Tiffany says
We are doing a Cajun food theme for Christmas this year and I saw this recipe and wanted to make it. I will need to use 16 oz of noodles so will I need to double the whole recipe?
Lauren Allen says
Hi Tiffany, Yes, use an extra large pan and double the whole recipe! sounds like fun!
Tiffany says
So I made this recipe for our family Christmas party and I had to double it. I didn’t put any veggies in it but I came home with an empty pot. Both the adults and kids loved it. I gave out the recipe to half of them. 🙂
Lauren Allen says
That’s great! I’m so happy to hear everyone loved it! Thanks so much for your nice comment 🙂
Tanisha says
How much seasoning do I add?
Lauren Allen says
Cajun seasoning? You add 2 or 3 teaspoons, depending on your taste preference.
Crissy says
This was amazing! I need to find a good cajun seasoning without salt, mine was salty but not spicy enough. I added a red pepper and doubled the recipe. I can’t wait to make this again!
L says
Can this be made and frozen?
Lauren Allen says
I haven’t tried freezing this one, so I can’t say for sure. Let me know if you try it!
Sarah says
This is my favorite recipe. I’ve made this at least 1 a month since I’ve discovered this months ago. SO GOOD!
Lauren Allen says
Yay! That’s what I LOVE to hear! Thanks for commenting Sarah and thanks for following TBFS 🙂