Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This is the exact dish you want when you’re craving alfredo sauce, but you want something a little more bold and spicy. This Cajun-style chicken pasta is going to knock your socks off. The sauce is a luscious mixture of both cream and cream cheese that’s seasoned with a classic Cajun-style seasoning blend. Browned chicken, yummy veggies, noodles, capers, and parmesan bring it over the top!

The best part of this recipe is that it’s super flexible and essentially impossible to mess up. Season the chicken with as much spice as you like, add in your own favorite veggies, and make that sauce as creamy and cheesy as you like.

If you’re looking for more easy pasta recipes, we’ve got you. This 30-minute salmon pesto pasta and this no-boil chicken alfredo bake will knock your socks right off!

Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients below are all you’ll need to make the most delicious, restaurant-worthy Cajun pasta dish. Let’s get to it!

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 ¼ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon of Tony’s Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
• ½ of a yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 orange bell pepper, diced
• 4 ounces of cream cheese
• ½ cup fresh parmesan, grated (plus more for garnish)
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of capers
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 12 ounces of fettuccine 
• ½ cup of pasta water, reserved
• 5 ounces of fresh spinach
• Lemon wedges, for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Modifications and Variations

If you’re looking for ingredient modifications, we’ve got you! Here are our very best ideas:

• Use a different cut of chicken: if you don’t have chicken thighs on hand, use something else! Chicken breasts will work great here (they’ll just need a few extra minutes to cook through), or, if you want to make the cooking process super easy, debone a rotisserie chicken, toss it with Tony’s, and then sear that in olive oil to get it a little bit crispy and really full of flavor.
• Make it dairy-free: swap the cream cheese for a dairy-free cream cheese (Kite Hill and Miyoko’s both make a really delicious one) and the heavy cream for a dairy-free version (I’d stay away from coconut milk here to keep any coconut flavors out of your pasta dish).
• Make it gluten-free: use gluten-free fettucine in place of regular wheat-based pasta for a gluten-free dish.
• Use a different shaped pasta: any pasta will work here (from linguini to farfalle), so no worries if you can’t find fettuccine! 

How To Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This creamy Cajun pasta dish is surprisingly really easy to make! Here’s the step-by-step how-to:

1. Cook the pasta – bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. Cook the chicken – in another large pot or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat, then dust the chicken in creole seasoning and sear it for 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. While the chicken is cooking, cut your vegetables.
3. Saute the veggies – add the onion and bell pepper to the pan, and saute over high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Add the cream cheese, parmesan, and heavy cream – reduce the heat to medium and add the cream cheese, grated parmesan, and heavy cream. Stir until the cheese is melted.
5. Add the capers and salt – add the capers and ½ of a teaspoon of salt to the pan, and stir to combine.
6. Add the pasta and pasta water – once the pasta is cooked, add the pasta to the pot or skillet with the cream mixture (add it straight from the pot of pasta water – no need to drain!), plus ½ of a cup of the pasta water. Stir, taste, and add salt if needed.
7. Add the spinach – add the spinach and toss to combine.
8. Slice the chicken, serve, and enjoy – slice the chicken, then serve over the pasta and enjoy!

What To Serve With Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This creamy pasta dish is actually really delicious all on its own. It’s loaded with protein, fat, and carbs, plus, it’s got some greens, thanks to the spinach add. If you’re looking for something to serve alongside your pasta dish though, we’d recommend a salad or green veggie. Here are our favorite options:

• Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Oven Roasted Broccoli
• Oven Roasted Green Beans
• Spinach Salad with Spicy Lemon Salad Dressing
• Lemony Kale
• Lemon Sea Salt Arugula Salad

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store any leftover Cajun chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply pop a serving into the microwave for about a minute, or heat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat for a couple of minutes, until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions