One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Published July 19, 2021. Updated May 17, 2023

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Easy, breezy, One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta! Made with chicken, pasta and veggies that’s all coated in a creamy cajun seasoned sauce. So delicious!

Photo: Creamy cajun chicken pasta shown in a large white pan from overhead.

Easiest Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

While I have another cajun chicken pasta recipe that I love, I’ve decided I don’t enjoy all the extra work and clean up that comes with it.

And that is where this gloriously simple and deliciously satisfying one pot version comes in!

It’s brimming with bold and zesty flavors, a nice blend of various textures and it’s perfect for a busy day.

Wondering what to serve with it? I recommend going with corn on the cob to compliment it, or a simple salad to bring a pop of green.

Watch the Video

Photo of ingredients. Includes penne pasta, chicken, cream, bell peppers, olive oil, cornstarch, chicken broth, parmesan, tomatoes, red onion, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.

Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes

  • Olive oil: Avocado oil or vegetable oil works too.
  • Chicken breasts: Chicken thighs will work great as well, just increase cook time slightly.
  • Cajun seasoning: homemade blend I use can be found HERE.
  • Bell peppers: I use 1 red and 1 yellow but any combo of color works.
  • Red onion: In a pinch, yellow onion works fine too.
  • Garlic: Preferably stick with fresh minced.
  • Penne pasta: I don’t recommend using a different type of pasta unless you are willing to experiment a little (others may need more/less liquid).
  • Heavy cream: If you are looking to cut calories you could try half and half but you may want to increase the cornstarch by 1 tsp.
  • Cornstarch: This is used to thicken the sauce just slightly.
  • Parmesan cheese: Romano cheese would also be tasty.
  • Fresh parsley: 1 Tbsp dried will work if needed.
  • Salt and pepper

Photo: Collage of six images showing steps of browning chicken in pot, sautéing vegetables, adding liquid and pasta to pot for a cajun chicken pasta recipe. Collage of four continued photos of making cajun chicken pasta. Includes pasta boiling, pasta after cooking, adding remaining ingredients and the finished product.

How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta in One Pot

Seven easy steps to this simple recipe:

  1. Heat pan: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Season chicken, add to pot: Toss chicken with 1/2 Tbsp cajun seasoning. Add to pot in a single layer.
  3. Cook chicken through, transfer: Cook until browned on bottom, about 3 minutes then turn and continue to cook through, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a sheet of foil and wrap to keep warm.
  4. Saute veggies in pot: Heat remaining 1/2 Tbsp olive oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and onion and saute 3 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 Tbsp cajun seasoning and saute 1 minute longer.
  5. Add liquids, boil then add pasta: Pour in chicken broth, tomatoes, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring mixture to a boil, then add pasta.
  6. Cook pasta, thicken sauce: Cook, stirring frequently until pasta is nearly tender, about 12 – 13 minutes. Add cornstarch and water mixture and cook until pasta is just tender and sauce mixture has thickened, about 1 minute longer.
  7. Add remaining ingredients and serve: Remove from heat. Toss in remaining 1/4 cup cream, parmesan, parsley and cooked chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Photo: One pot cajun chicken pasta shown close up in a white pan from the side.

Variations

  • Use another protein like shrimp (reduce cook time of course it only needs about 1.5 minutes per side), or try andouille sausage.
  • Make it vegetarian by using more vegetables in place of chicken. Good options would be zucchini, corn, mushrooms, spinach, thin sliced carrots, etc.
  • For a tangy flavor you can try 3 oz of softened diced cream cheese at the end in place of the last 1/4 cup cream. Halve cornstarch if going this route.
  • If you don’t have fire roasted tomatoes, you can try diced tomatoes with mild green chilies.

Helpful Tips

  • Be careful not to overcook the chicken or it will be dry. Just cook right to 165 in center.
  • Cook pasta just to al dente texture. It will continue to soften slightly off heat.
  • I recommend sticking with the homemade cajun seasoning so there’s more control over saltiness and heat level.
  • If you opt to use another brand of pasta just keep in mind the amount of liquid needed and cook time may vary slightly.

Photo: Serving of cajun chicken pasta in a bowl.

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Photo: Creamy cajun chicken pasta shown in a large white pan from overhead.
5 from 27 votes

One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

A quick, easy breezy recipe! Made with chicken, pasta and veggies that's all coated in a creamy cajun seasoned sauce. So delicious!
Servings: 6
Prep20 minutes
Cook20 minutes
Ready in: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  • Toss chicken with 1/2 Tbsp cajun seasoning. Add to pot in a single layer.
  • Cook until browned on bottom, about 3 minutes then turn and continue to cook through, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a sheet of foil and wrap to keep warm.
  • Heat remaining 1/2 Tbsp olive oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and onion and saute 3 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 Tbsp cajun seasoning and saute 1 minute longer.
  • Pour in chicken broth, tomatoes, and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring mixture to a boil, then add pasta.
  • Cook, stirring frequently until pasta is nearly tender, about 12 - 13 minutes. Add cornstarch and water mixture and cook until pasta is just tender and sauce mixture has thickened, about 1 minute longer.
  • Remove from heat. Toss in remaining 1/4 cup cream, parmesan, parsley and cooked chicken, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 527 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 96mg32%
Sodium 684mg30%
Potassium 720mg21%
Carbohydrates 55g18%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 3120IU62%
Vitamin C 91mg110%
Calcium 199mg20%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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70 Comments

  • Judy

    My husband loved this pasta. I added andouille sausage and a little extra Cajun spice for a little more spice. It was perfect and I will make it again

    sausage

  • Ashley

    Holy moly! I’ve never left a recipe review before but this is FULL of flavor. I substituted cajun seasoning with creole because I don’t handle spices well and I had creole on deck. Definitely the type of recipe you savor rather than go to town on. I might even suggest a little less seasoning. But overall so good!

  • Hailey

    Absolutely loved this recipe, so full of flavor. My husband quoted, “riding a wave of flavors” I added in spinach and roasted broccoli for extra color and health ;) I also added ricotta and cream cheese to cool down the spice a bit. So so good, adding this to our wheel of recipes. can’t wait to make this again.

  • Nick

    Excellent recipe very tasty, I added a little red pepper flake for a little heat. I also cooked the pasta separately and once sauce was thick and creamy tossed it all together. I recommend doing this or it’s way too starchy. Also you recommend sauté veggies for 10-15 mins over med heat stirring frequently.

  • Jade

    Question: How well does this heat up next day? Trying this tonight, but wondering if I could make this Saturday evening and reheat the whole pot for Sunday lunch? We go to my mom’s after church, so easy to reheat recipes are the best! Looks delicious, thank you for sharing!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Reheating in a pot doesn’t work very well but in the oven in a baking dish in a 350 degree oven it may be ok. Just add a splash of liquid, cover with foil and toss a few times during baking.

  • Beth McCarthy

    Just curious if anyone has tried jarred roasted red peppers in place of Fresh peppers

  • Lilli

    I added some sliced mushrooms in about five minutes before it was done and that was the perfect touch for me! But, I love mushrooms. :D Honestly, this is legit my favorite chicken pasta recipe online. Glad I stumbled across it!