Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

We just LOVE this easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe – tender pieces of chicken breast in a rich and creamy Cajun spiced tomato sauce served tossed through freshly cooked pasta – Easy midweek dinner that’s ready to eat in just 30 minutes!

Mmmm I hold my hands up, this is one of my favourite easy pasta recipes. The spicy creamy Cajun chicken sauce is just SO flavourful and delicious - warmly spicy but not too much heat.

And once it's tossed through a bowlful of freshly cooked pasta well then it's just creamy carb heaven!

Best of all... it's really easy to prepare, and really simple to cook. Chicken and pasta recipes are always popular with kids. All in all a BRILLIANT family dinner recipe.

For our Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe we cook the penne pasta separately, I just think the pasta cooks so much quicker if you cook it separately from the sauce.

And it works out better this way for me as I have to cook a gluten free version of chicken pasta alongside the regular wheat pasta.

I make up my own Cajun seasoning mix too so I've popped the recipe for that below - but feel free to use shop bought Cajun seasoning if you prefer.

Equipment Needed For the Cajun Pasta Recipe

• Sharp vegetable knife

• Chopping board

• 2 large saucepans (one for the sauce, one for the pasta)

• Wooden spoon

• Tablespoon

• Small bowl

• Teaspoon

• Grater

• Measuring jug or cup

• Scales (if no scales just guess/estimate the pasta and cheese)

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if you like more of a kick of heat add a little more)
• ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

I don't add salt to the seasoning mix, I like to add salt to the dish separately.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredients

You'll just need a handful of ingredients to make our creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe

• 1 tbs olive oil - you can swap this for butter or rapeseed oil if you prefer

• 1 onion - finely diced

• 1 sweet red pepper - finely diced

• 600g diced chicken breast

• Cajun seasoning - made up as above recipe or use 2 teaspoon shop bought Cajun seasoning

• 400g can basil and oregano flavoured passata - I use a can of the Mutti pizza sauce for this because it's so flavourful and really adds a nice herby kick.

• 40g Parmesan cheese - finely grated

• 150ml double cream

• 300g penne pasta

• bunch spring onions - finely chopped

How To Make Delicious Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

You'll just LOVE how super easy it is to make this chicken recipe!

Step One - sauté the onions, peppers and chicken breast

• Fry the onions, peppers and chicken breast - grab yourself a large saucepan and add the olive oil, then tip in the onions, peppers and chicken and gently fry over a medium heat until the chicken is turning white.

Step Two - add the Cajun seasoning

• Add the Cajun seasoning - tip the homemade Cajun seasoning into the pan and stir into the chicken and veggies.

Step Three - add the passata and cook the Cajun chicken pasta sauce

• Add the passata - pour the passata into the pan with the chicken, add half a can of water and stir everything together, bring the sauce to the boil.

• Cover with a lid, reduce the heat and simmer for around 15-20 minutes whilst you cook the pasta.

Step Four - cook the pasta

• Cook the pasta - tip the penne into boiling salted water, return the pan to the boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for around 10-12 minutes - then drain.

Step Five - mix together the Cajun chicken pasta

• Finish off the Cajun chicken pasta sauce - once the chicken is cooked through properly, pour in the double cream and warm through.

• Then tip in the drained pasta and add the grated Parmesan. Stir everything together so the pasta is nicely coated in the tasty Cajun sauce and then serve the Cajun pasta scattered with chopped spring onions.

Get more easy pasta recipes here

What To Serve With Cajun Chicken Pasta

Love Cajun Recipes? Then You'll Just LOVE These!

Our tasty spicy chicken pasta dish is just delicious with a few sides, any of the following work really well

• Garlic bread – either shop bought garlic baguettes or try our our quick homemade garlic bread with brioche rolls. 

• Coleslaw – our Ranch Coleslaw recipe is delicious with chicken pasta We also love that cheesy slaw you can pick up on the deli counter. 

• Spicy Bean Salad - our quick and easy bean salad with sweetcorn in tangy dressing goes great alongside spicy chicken pasta

• Salad – throw together a big garden salad with crispy croutons.

• Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken - this delicious family meal is super easy to prepare and takes just 5 minutes to put together in the morning. My kids love this with rice and chips - maybe a side of sweetcorn.

• Oven Baked Cajun Chicken Thighs - super juicy chicken thighs with a Cajun spiced coating. Great with baked potatoes, chips or rice and a side of salad or vegetables for an easy, budget weeknight dinner.

• Spicy Prawn Rice - a quick and tasty Cajun prawn rice dish. Filling, healthy and ready in just 20 minutes. Brilliant for busy weeknight dinner.

• Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake - a creamy, cheesy, spicy chicken pasta bake that's great for family dinner.

Need Some Family Meal Ideas?

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More chicken pasta recipes to try

• Chicken Tomato Pasta