The Best Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

Creamy cajun chicken pasta brings fiery southern comfort to your dinner table with its bold, zesty flavors and rich, velvety sauce.

Southern culinary traditions dance through every forkful of this hearty dish, blending spicy seasonings with smooth, luxurious textures.

Robust cajun spices change ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Louisiana’s culinary heritage shines through each carefully balanced component, creating a symphony of heat and creaminess.

The magic happens when perfectly seasoned chicken meets silky pasta, resulting in a plate that feels both indulgent and deeply satisfying.

Unexpected flavor combinations elevate this recipe from simple weeknight fare to a restaurant-worthy experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Packs Bold Flavor

• Spice Up Your Meal: Cajun seasoning transforms ordinary chicken pasta into a bold, flavor-packed dish that dances with zesty, vibrant spices.
• Creamy Comfort Meets Quick Cooking: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in under 30 minutes, offering a luxurious sauce that hugs every pasta strand with rich, velvety texture.
• Master One-Skillet Magic: Streamline your cooking process by using a single pan, reducing cleanup and creating layers of deep, interconnected flavors from perfectly seared chicken to silky sauce.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adjust spice levels, swap protein, or add vegetables to make this recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core technique.

Everything You Need for Cajun Chicken Pasta Night

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides a hearty base for the dish, best when fresh and evenly thick.

• Linguine Pasta: Classic long pasta that holds creamy sauce well, ideal for catching all the Cajun flavors.

• Cajun Seasoning: Spicy blend that adds signature Louisiana-style heat and depth to the chicken and sauce.

• Butter, Heavy Whipping Cream: Rich ingredients creating a smooth, luxurious sauce base with classic creamy texture.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds sharp, warm undertones to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides depth and richness to the sauce.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds slight acidity and fresh color to the creamy sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb that provides fresh finish and visual appeal.

• Olive Oil: Healthy fat for searing chicken with good flavor.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance overall dish taste.

Cooking Steps for Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in salt and bring to a rolling boil. Drop in linguine and cook until perfectly tender. Scoop out some pasta water before draining. Keep pasta warm and cozy.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

Transform chicken breasts into even thickness by gently pounding. Coat chicken generously with zesty Cajun seasoning, ensuring every inch gets that spicy love.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high flames. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the sizzling pan. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Lower heat and continue cooking until chicken reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into delicate strips.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Heavy whipping cream
• Extra Cajun seasoning
• Parmesan cheese

Stir the mixture and let it simmer into a dreamy sauce.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Slide chicken strips and cooked pasta into the sauce. Toss until everything is beautifully coated and warm. If sauce feels too thick, splash in reserved pasta water to reach perfect consistency.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

• Fresh parmesan
• Chopped parsley

Enjoy your Cajun creation hot and bursting with flavor!

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4 hungry souls

Tips to Balance the Heat and Creaminess

• Master Chicken Seasoning: Ensure even coverage of cajun seasoning by patting the chicken dry before adding spices, which helps the seasoning stick better and creates a more flavorful crust.
• Achieve Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook linguine just until al dente to prevent mushy pasta, checking for a slight firmness when biting into the noodle.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Keep reserved pasta water handy to thin out the cream sauce if it becomes too thick, adding small amounts until you reach the ideal creamy texture.
• Optimize Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to precisely check chicken temperature, removing it from heat at exactly 165°F to maintain juiciness and prevent overcooking.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Sauté garlic briefly to release aromatics without burning, creating a rich base for the creamy cajun sauce that adds depth to the entire dish.

How to Save and Reheat Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate: Transfer pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to restore sauce's creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Microwave Option: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a little liquid if sauce seems dry.

Ideal Side Dishes for Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Spice Up with Zinfandel: Pair this creamy Cajun chicken pasta with a bold, fruity Zinfandel wine that can stand up to the spicy seasoning and rich sauce. The wine's jammy notes will complement the tomato and cream base perfectly.
• Cool Down with Crisp Salad: Serve a light, refreshing side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the pasta's richness and cut through the creamy sauce.
• Brighten with Citrus Beer: Choose a citrusy wheat beer or a light lager that will contrast the dish's spiciness and provide a crisp, clean finish to each bite. The beer's acidity helps cleanse the palate between mouthfuls.
• Add Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or add fresh basil leaves on top to introduce a bright, herbal element that lifts the entire dish's flavor profile and adds a pop of color.

Flavorful Ways to Revamp Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Seafood Sensation: Replace chicken with shrimp or a mix of seafood like scallops and crab meat, enhancing the Cajun flavor profile with oceanic richness.
• Vegetarian Victory: Swap chicken with roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms, maintaining the creamy sauce and spicy undertones for a plant-based alternative.
• Protein Power: Use grilled blackened steak or turkey instead of chicken, adding a different protein dimension while keeping the signature Cajun cream sauce intact.
• Spice Level Upgrade: Increase cajun seasoning or add fresh jalapeños and red pepper flakes for those craving extra heat and bold flavor complexity.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy Cajun chicken pasta brings bold Louisiana flavors to your dinner table. Spicy, rich sauce coats tender chicken and perfectly al dente pasta, delivering a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Starches:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine pasta

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1.5 to 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning, divided
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Dairy and Cream Components:

• 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese

Produce:

• ⅔ cup diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook linguine until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining, then cover to preserve warmth.
2. Flatten chicken breasts to ensure uniform cooking. Generously coat with cajun seasoning across all surfaces.
3. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully place seasoned chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides. Reduce heat and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into delicate strips, then tent with foil to retain heat.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Sauté briefly until aromatic. Incorporate diced tomatoes and cook for an additional moment. Stream in heavy cream, sprinkle remaining cajun seasoning, and fold in parmesan cheese. Gently simmer the sauce, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed.
5. Merge sliced chicken and cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring every strand is luxuriously coated. If the sauce appears too dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky consistency.
6. Plate the pasta, garnishing with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F to prevent foodborne illness and guarantee tender, juicy meat.
• Reserve pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silky, perfectly textured sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
• Pound chicken breasts evenly to promote uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Sauté garlic briefly to release its aromatic flavors without burning, which can create a bitter taste.
• Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually, creating a personalized creamy texture that suits your preference.
• Layer flavors by using the same skillet for chicken and sauce, capturing delicious browned bits for enhanced depth and richness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 740
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg