Homemade Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is such a simple and quick recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken breast tossed with tender pasta in a creamy Cajun garlic sauce.

Cajun chicken pasta in a deep skillet topped with fresh greens and parmesan cheese.

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Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

We love recreating our favorite recipes and this copycat recipe for Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta is going to become a family favorite!

Creamy pasta with pieces of tender and juicy Cajun-flavored chicken in the most delicious homemade Cajun sauce. You will love all the flavors from the dish, and it comes together in under 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. I’m excited to add this to our long lineup of 30-minute meals.

All you need is a slice of Focaccia Bread to soak up the creamy sauce, plus a simple Caesar Salad for a memorable pasta night.

Cajun chicken pasta unmixed in a white deep skillet topped with fresh greens.

Ingredients for Cajun Chicken Pasta

  • Pasta – For this recipe, we used linguine pasta but you can use any type of pasta: angel hair, linguine, fettuccine, elbow, macaroni, penne, and bow tie pasta will all work great. Homemade Pasta is particularly delicious.
  • Chicken – We used chicken breasts, but chicken thighs will work as well.
  • Cajun Seasoning– You can use your favorite store-bought Cajun seasoning. You’ll also need salt and pepper.
  • Garlic– Freshly minced or finely chopped garlic will give the best flavor, but you can substitute with 1 tsp dried garlic, or add it to taste.
  • Butter – for sautéing garlic and adds flavor to the sauce.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream – Makes the sauce rich and creamy.
  • Parmesan – Grated parmesan cheese or shredded parmesan will work great.
All the ingredients needed to make this homemade creamy cajun chicken pasta.

Pro Tip: You can adjust the spiciness in the pasta by adding more or less of the Cajun seasoning.

How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta

  1. Cook Pasta – Boil in a large pot of salted water until al dente, according to the package instructions.
  2. Prepare Chicken – Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a saucepan, pound the chicken breasts into an even thickness and season both sides with cajun seasoning. Sauté the chicken in a skillet with oil until fully cooked, then slice into strips.
  3. Make the Sauce – In a deep skillet, sauté the garlic in butter for 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add the cream, remaining Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, and bring to a simmer.
  4. Combine – Add the pasta and sliced chicken to the sauce and toss to combine.
  5. Serve – Top with parmesan and parsley to serve.
Step by step collage of how to make homemade Cajun pasta with tender and juicy chicken.

Pasta Variations and Add-Ins

  • Vegetables – you can add cooked broccoli or asparagus to the pasta when tossing everything together.
  • Vegetarian pasta – leave out the chicken or substitute chicken with mushrooms.
  • Substitute the chicken – try sliced andouille, smoked sausage, kielbasa, Homemade Sausage, or try my Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

Storage and Reheating

Cajun Chicken Pasta is best enjoyed fresh while the sauce is creamy, but leftovers still reheat well.

  • Refrigerate: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
  • To Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream or milk to thin the sauce.
  • Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing cream-based pastas since they can separate after thawing.
Creamy cajun chicken pasta in a skillet topped with fresh chopped greens and grated parmesan cheese.

This restaurant copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is sure to please. If you love comforting pasta dishes, check out the list below for more dinner inspiration.

Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe in Pan
5 from 1354 votes

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is such a simple and quick recipe, perfect for weeknight dinners. Juicy chicken breast tossed with tender pasta in a creamy cajun garlic sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 servings
  • 8 oz linguine pasta
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided, (or added to taste depending on the brand you use*)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2/3 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped, to serve

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water then drain, cover, and keep warm.
  • Beat the chicken breasts with a meat mallet so that they are even in thickness and season all over with Tbsp Cajun seasoning*.
  • In a large non-reactive skillet*, heat 2 tsp oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear on both sides. Turn heat down to low and saute until cooked through and 165˚F on a thermometer. Transfer to a cutting board, slice into thin strips, and cover to keep warm.
  • In the same skillet over medium heat, saute the butter and garlic for 30-60 seconds or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and saute another 2 minutes.
  • Add in the heavy whipping cream, add remaining cajun seasoning to taste, and parmesan cheese, and bring to a simmer. Season to taste if needed.
  • Add the sliced chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until combined and pasta and chicken are warmed through. Add warm reserved pasta water if desired to thin the sauce. Serve with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley.

Notes

*For the Smoothest Sauce: Avoid using reactive cookware such as cast iron or copper anytime you are making a creamy sauce with an acidic product like tomato, or it will react and make the sauce grainy. Also, keep the cream at a gentle simmer and do not boil after adding the cheese. 
*If you are using a Cajun seasoning that has a high salt content, start with half of the seasoning and add more to taste. 

Nutrition Per Serving

480kcal Calories34g Carbs18g Protein31g Fat18g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat8g Monounsaturated Fat0.2g Trans Fat109mg Cholesterol214mg Sodium413mg Potassium2g Fiber4g Sugar2368IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C142mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Amount per Serving
Calories
480
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
31
g
48
%
Saturated Fat
 
18
g
113
%
Trans Fat
 
0.2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
109
mg
36
%
Sodium
 
214
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
413
mg
12
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
18
g
36
%
Vitamin A
 
2368
IU
47
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
142
mg
14
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun
Keyword: cajun chicken pasta
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$

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