Description
This Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, spicy one-pan dish packed with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and bold Cajun flavors. The smoky spices blend perfectly with a rich, silky cream cheese sauce, making it an easy yet impressive weeknight meal.
Ingredients
2 tsp Olive oil
500 g (1.1 lb) Chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, cut into chunks
3 tbsp Cajun spice mix
1 Onion, chopped
3 Garlic cloves, minced
2 Green peppers, deseeded and chopped
3 Sticks celery, trimmed and diced
250 g (9 oz) Dried pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
750 ml (3.25 cups) Vegetable or chicken stock
400 g (14.5 oz) Tinned tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
100 g (3.5 oz) Cream cheese
Fresh basil, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and half of the Cajun spice mix. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
- Add onions, garlic, green peppers, celery, and the remaining Cajun spice mix. Cook for 5–10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the dried pasta, stock, tinned tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10–13 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and stir through the cream cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
Adjust spice level by reducing or increasing the Cajun mix.
For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with chickpeas or extra vegetables.
Use dairy-free cream cheese or omit it entirely for a lighter, dairy-free version.
Reheat gently with a splash of stock or water to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
