A creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe tossed in a delicious cajun sauce with your favorite vegetables. It's made all in one pan and on the table in 20 minutes!
Do you love 30 minute meals? Make sure to try Shrimp Alfredo, Chicken Marsala Pasta, Honey Mustard Chicken, and Mediterranean Meatball Bowls!
Cajun Chicken Pasta is our favorite one-pot-meal.
Cajun Chicken Pasta is our favorite one-pot-meal.Weeknights just got an upgrade with this easy cajun chicken pasta! It's made all in one pan with simple pantry ingredients that come together so harmoniously. It's easy to customize with your favorite veggies, and it has a mild to medium spice, so my kids love it too. Check out my tips below for adjusting the spice level for your family, and if you want a healthier version. I've also included adaptations and information for anyone counting their macros or looking for high protein meals.
How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta:
Sauté Chicken and Veggies: Cook pasta then drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside. Add butter to a skillet then add garlic and cook for a couple minutes. Add chicken and vegetables then season with cajun seasoning. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until chicken is almost cooked through. Add milk and cream cheese then stir for 2-3 minutes until cream cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
Serve: Add pasta and cheese to the pan then stir to combine and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Recipe Variations:
- Spice Level: This pasta has a mild to medium spice level, if you want it less spicy, start with just 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning, or more than 2 teaspoons (or a sprinkle of cayenne), for more spicy pasta.
- Pasta: I usually use farfalle (bowtie) pasta, but you can substitute 8 oz of penne, shells, rotini, linguine, or your favorite pasta.
- Make it Healthier:
- Use whole grain pasta.
- Add extra veggies: Look in your fridge and use up what you have. Some of my favorites are: sliced bell peppers, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, zucchini, etc.
- Use olive oil instead of butter, or reduce the butter in half.
- Use low fat cream cheese and skim milk in the sauce, and don't add the parmesan cheese.
Make Ahead Instructions:
Cook vegetables and chicken in the creamy sauce. Store in the fridge until ready to serve, when you can reheat it and stir in cooked pasta and shredded cheese.
More Pasta Recipes:
- Manicotti
- Pasta Primavera
- Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Pastalaya
- Harissa Pasta
- Baked Ziti
- Crock Pot Baked Ziti
- Chicken Parmesan
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Recipe
Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces farfalle pasta (or your favorite type)
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning , more or less, to taste
- 4 ounces cream cheese , softened and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt , more to taste, if needed
- Fresh vegetables, if desired , see note*
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
- Cook chicken: In a large pot or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken pieces (and any desired vegetables*) and season with cajun seasoning. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Add milk and cream cheese, stirring well until cream cheese has melted and sauce is smooth, 2-3 minutes. Stir in pasta, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Macros Recipe Adaptation
1 Tablespoon of butter, ½ Tbsp Neufchatel cream cheese, ½ cup of both chopped zucchini and green bell pepper, use unsweetened almond milk.Per Serving Amount
247 grams.Macros
415kcal, Fat: 11g, Carbs: 38g, Protein: 39g (serves 5) | MFP: Cajun Chicken Pasta (TBFS Macros)Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe December 2014. Updated April 2020 and September 2024.
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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 !!!
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.
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?
Hi Beth, you can definitely use light cream cheese! This recipe is super easy and yummy–hope you like it!
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!!
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. 🙂
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.
Could you use frozen broccoli with this?
Sure! Just cook it according the package directions and then add it to the pasta!
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!
Thanks for your nice comment–I’m so happy you liked it! 🙂 Homemade pasta sauce is the best!
have just made this and it is amazing! Will definitely be making again!!
Thanks Stacey! Glad you liked it!
I may need this for dinner. And I just so happen to have all the ingredients on hand!
This looks amazing! It’s going on my dinner list!
Looks yummy, I’ll have to try it!