This Cajun Chicken Pasta is everything you want in an easy weeknight dinner. The creamy sauce is loaded with flavor and it’s made with simple ingredients of chicken, bell peppers, canned tomatoes, cream and spices.
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta will Become a Favorite
This chicken recipe is a perfect one-pot meal for those days when you need something to just be ready quickly when you get home.
You can easily adjust the spice level to milder or hotter by adding more or less of the cajun spice. (or sprinkle a little extra cayenne pepper in it)
We love quick creamy pasta recipes like this. A couple of other you should try are our famous Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta and this Chicken Stroganoff too.
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Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
The complete list of ingredients with amounts are listed in the full recipe card below.
- Chicken – I used boneless and skinless chicken breasts in this recipe but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Cajun seasoning – Use your favorite store-bought blend Adjust for mild or spicy preferences.
- Red onion – Swap it for yellow onion or sweet or white onion.
- Bell peppers – I used red and yellow this time. Swap them for any combination of these and orange or green bell peppers. They are all so pretty!
- Garlic – Freshly minced is my favorite but use jarred minced or even a tablespoon of garlic powder.
- Chicken broth – I typically use low sodium. Swap for vegetable broth if you’d like.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes – I love the added flavor of fire roasted but use regular diced tomatoes too.
- Heavy cream – Swap for half & half or even full milk or a non dairy alternative like coconut milk or soy milk.
- Penne pasta – You can also use a different type of pasta like rigatoni, rotini or linguine.
- Cornstarch & water (for the slurry) – to thicken the sauce. You can also use flour if that’s all you have.
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated melts the best but you can use bagged shredded if you’d like.
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh Parsley, optional garnish
Variations To Try
1. Add in andouille sausage, large shrimp (peeled and deveined) in the last 30 minutes or both.
2. Add in broccoli or zucchini the last 30 minutes of cooking in the slow cooker.
How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta in a Slow Cooker
This easy recipe comes together so quickly. For quicker prep, dice the chicken and veggies the night before and toss in all in.
Step 1: Place the diced chicken pieces to the slow cooker, add ½ tablespoon of the cajun seasoning and toss to coat the chicken.
Step 2: Add the sliced onions, peppers, onion, garlic, chicken broth, tomatoes, ½ cup of the heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 4-5 hours until the chicken is tender and veggies are soft.
Step 4: Make the slurry. About 30-40 minutes before done, mix the the cornstarch and water together in a small measuring cup or bowl and add it into the slow cooker.
Step 5: Add the uncooked pasta and stir gently. Place the lid back on and stir about every 10 minutes until pasta is al dente (about 20-30 minutes).
Step 6: Once the pasta has cooked to your desired tenderness, add in the remaining ¼ cup heavy cream, shredded parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
Make This Cajun Pasta In a Skillet Too
This cajun chicken pasta recipe can be easily made in a skillet too. You won’t need as much chicken broth as in the slow cooker (just use 2 cups instead).
- Cook pasta per package directions to al dente.
- Place the chicken in large skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil and cook over medium high heat until no longer pink. Remove it and place it in a bowl.
- Place the peppers and onions in the same skillet and cook on medium heat for 5-10 minutes until tender. (add any other veggies now if using.). Then add the minced garlic and remaining seasoning. Sauté for an additional minute. Then remove all of the veggies and place them in a bowl.
- Add the chicken broth and the cornstarch slurry mixture and stir for 3-4 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Then add in the heavy whipping cream, reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked chicken and veggies back to the skillet and add in the cooked, drained pasta.
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate: Store in a airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freeze: Place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl or plate for 30 seconds, then stir and repeat for an additional 15-30 seconds.
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Slow Cooker or Skillet)
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless skinless, diced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning divided
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 1 yellow pepper sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 29 ounces chicken broth 2 cans
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes 1 can
- ¾ cup heavy cream divided
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the diced chicken pieces to a slow cooker, add ½ tablespoon cajun seasoning.1 pound chicken breast, 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Add the sliced onions, peppers, onion, garlic chicken broth, tomatoes, ½ cup of the heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine.1 red onion, 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 29 ounces chicken broth, 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes, ¾ cup heavy cream
- Cover with the lid and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
- Make the slurry. About 30-40 minutes before done, mix the the cornstarch and water together in a small measuring cup or bowl and add it into the slow cooker.2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water
- Add the uncooked pasta and stir gently.12 ounces penne pasta
- Place the lid back on and stir about every 10 minutes until pasta is al dente.
- Once the pasta has cooked to your desired tenderness, add in the remaining ¼ cup heavy cream, shredded parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and stir to combine.¾ cup Parmesan cheese, Salt and pepper to taste
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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