This post contains affiliate links.
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.
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
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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Text me new recipe ideas!
Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.
Follow Me
I originally shared this recipe December 2014. Updated April 2020 and September 2024.
Easy and perfectly pleasing! Looking forward to making again and trying some different veggies and maybe shrimp instead of chicken. Yum!
This was absolutely delicious. I hope no one eats the leftovers. so I can have them (selfishly) myself.
The whole family enjoyed this. I used half of the Cajun seasoning so my children (5 & 7) would enjoy it too. Thank you for sharing.
This dish had great flavor and loved how versatile it was. I added mushrooms and zucchini to the pepper which was a nice combination. I’ll make this again, for sure. Thank you!!
So good and turned out perfect! This is going to be a family favorite!
This was easy to make and tasty!
Ive made this so many times . Big time favorite in my house , I add broccoli . Best part I usually just have to get cream cheese because I always have the rest of ingredients at home 👏🏼🤗💐
Made this tonight ,it was a big hit.will be making again.thanks so much really easy to make
PERFECTION! I added green bell pepper, mini red/green/and yellow bell peppers, and broccoli to add as the additional veggies. I followed this recipe exactly. It truly is a family favorite. I look forward to adding it to my meals to impress for gatherings of family and friends. Thank you so much!
I added broccoli, bell pepper, onion, tomato, and spinach and it was SOOOOOO good!! I put a cup and a half of Parmesan cheese in it and a lot more Cajun seasoning along with extra butter and my boyfriend wanted to propose!! LOL
Same here. Fantastic recipe. I doubled, added chicken and andouille sausage. Peppers and onions. LOTS of garlic, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, and butter
The family loved this!!!! We added kilbasa along with chicken. Really yummy!