Having never made one pot pasta before, it has been a while since I have! I decided this weekend to make a one-pot creamy, smoky, spicy, easy dish that I could make in a single pot, so I went to work!
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is incredibly easy to make, so it’s perfect for weeknight dinners. I have included a few variations for you below (spicy, non-spicy, creamy, non-creamy) for your convenience.
This is a delicious standard chicken Pasta that Apronese wants to introduce to you as quickly as possible. Do not rush to skip the following article.
Pasta Customization
If you are looking for a quick and easy pasta dish, then you can adapt it by substituting, adding, or subtracting any number of ingredients. Here are some ideas for substitutions, additions, omissions, and additions:
Adjust the Heat
Although this pasta is extremely spicy, it is very easy to adjust the heat level by changing how much cayenne pepper you add to the Cajun seasoning.
If you are completely intolerant of spicy foods, just cut it in half for a little heat, or leave the cayenne out altogether if you are entirely spice intolerant. That makes me sad, but I completely understand. Your brain does sometimes not want the same thing as your body.
Make it Creamy (or not)
Please do not use cream cheese if you are unable to. If you cannot use cream cheese, you may use a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to replace it. I would probably use about 1/4 cup of heavy cream, or 1/2 cup of half-and-half.
You may even choose not to use cream at all if you prefer. Even before I added the cream cheese to this pasta, I found that the heat and acidity were well balanced by the creaminess.
Make it “Extra”
The perfect way to make this Cajun Chicken Pasta even more delicious is to add some cooked bacon, or a final dusting of fresh Parmesan cheese on top. That little bit of extra umami flavor will really take it over the top! Or, instead of, or in addition to, if you like, you might want to add shrimp instead of or in addition to.
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Using mostly pantry-stable ingredients, you can make a complete dinner in one pot with this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta. This is the perfect meal to prepare during the week when you’re busy.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.20)
- 1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
- 1 tsp thyme ($0.10)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
Chicken Pasta
- 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
- 1 Tbsp butter ($0.13)
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast ($5.47)
- 1 yellow onion, diced ($0.32)
- 1/2 lb. penne pasta (uncooked) ($0.75)
- 15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes ($1.00)
- 2 cups chicken broth ($0.26)
- 2 oz. cream cheese ($0.50)
- 3 green onions, sliced ($0.25)
Instructions
- It is a good idea to mix all the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl, and cut the chicken into 1/2 to 3/4inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a bowl, pour over the Cajun seasoning, and stir until the spices are well coated over the chicken.
- It is important to put olive oil and butter in a large pan that is deep and very wide. Heat the oil and butter on a medium high heat until the butter and oil are melted and foamy. When you add the seasoned chicken to the skillet, cook it for a few minutes on each side, just until the outside of the chicken gets a little browning. The chicken does not have to be completely cooked at this point.
- Once the diced yellow onion has been added, sauté it for about two minutes, or until the onion starts to soften, or until the onion has been softened by the moisture from the onion. Allow the moisture from the onion to dissolve all the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Adding the pasta to the skillet, followed by the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (along with their juices), followed by the chicken broth. Stirring all the ingredients together until everything is mixed evenly, place a lid on top, and then allow the broth to come up to a boil.
- When the water comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the noodles are tender and the sauce is thick and saucy, then turn off the heat and let it sit for about ten minutes.
- When the cream cheese has melted, add the cream cheese chunks to the pan and stir until they are well incorporated into the sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve the pasta immediately.
- A deep skillet of this size can hold a capacity of four quarts, which is what I use.
- Depending on your cookware, you may have to adjust the heat very slightly to maintain a simmer in the broth. Do not forget to stir the pasta often once it has been placed in the broth to prevent it from sticking.
Nutritional
Serving: 1 Serving ・ Calories: 482.65 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 51.53 g ・ Protein: 34.95 g ・ Fat: 14.58 g ・ Sodium: 847.23 mg ・ Fiber: 3.45 g
The nutritional values shown here are only estimates. Please see our nutrition disclaimer .
Equipment
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How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta – Step by Step Photos
To make the Cajun seasoning, combine the following ingredients (2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 1/4 tablespoon cayenne, 1/4 tablespoon black pepper, 1/4 tablespoon salt) in a small bowl.
Make one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast into half-inch to 3/4-inch cubes. Put the chicken cubes in a bowl, pour Cajun seasoning over them, and stir to coat them.
One tablespoon of olive oil and one tablespoon of butter should be heated in a large, deep skillet on medium-high heat. Once the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy, add the seasoned chicken pieces.
Cook the chicken pieces for a couple of minutes on each side, or until the chicken is slightly golden brown. You do not need to cook the chicken through at this point, it just needs to get some color.
I suggest that you add one diced yellow onion to the skillet and continue to sauté for two or three minutes more, or until the onion just begins to soften.
The moisture in the onion can help dissolve any brown bits that may have collected on the bottom of the skillet.
There is 1/2 lb. of penne in the skillet as well as one 15oz. can of fire roasted diced tomatoes (along with the juice) and two cups of chicken broth to add to the skillet.
In the meantime, all I would like to suggest is that you give everything a good stir and to make sure nothing is left behind.
Once you have combined everything, place a lid on top and let the broth come to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low, and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the pasta is tender and the broth has thickened and become more saucy in texture, it is time to remove that pot from the heat.
As soon as the sauce is ready, mix in two ounces of cream cheese, breaking them up into small pieces and stirring until the cheese has melted.
Serve with green onions sliced thin and decorate with sliced green onions, and you’ll have a one pot creamy cajun chicken pasta that will be a staple in my house for a long time.
Honestly, Apronese think this bowl of pasta is begging to be served with some Freezer Garlic Bread. What do you think?
Please share your thoughts on this dish, and let people know about this site more by sharing the information.
