One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy 30-minute dinner made with tender chicken, penne pasta, Cajun seasoning, and a creamy tomato sauce. Everything cooks in one pan for a rich, flavorful family meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
Chicken Pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cubed
- 1 yellow onion diced
- ½ lb uncooked penne pasta
- 15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 3 green onions sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes and toss with the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly browned. The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked yet.
- Stir in the diced onion and cook for another 2 minutes until softened.
- Add the penne, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth.
- Stir well, cover, and bring everything to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Add chunks of cream cheese and stir until completely melted into the sauce.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve your One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta immediately.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream before serving.
- Fresh parsley makes an excellent garnish alongside green onions.
- Serve with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day.