Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Impress your friends and family with creamy Cajun chicken pasta, a flavorful meal combining spicy flavors and rich, creamy sauce.
Creamy Cajun chicken pasta is a vibrant fusion of spicy Cajun seasonings, savory pancetta, and tender chicken, all coated with a rich and silky Parmesan cream sauce. The combination offers a spicy kick and layers of flavor that comes across in every forkful. From the crispy pancetta to the tender chicken and creamy sauce, it’s a magical dish that will leave everyone looking forward to the next time you make it.
This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve guests. You can even customize it by adding vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra color and nutrition. For a complete meal, serve it with a simple green salad or warm, crusty bread to mop up any leftover sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
Big flavor, simple prep. You’ll get a creamy, restaurant-style pasta with Cajun spice in about 30 minutes.
Versatile and flexible. It works with chicken, pancetta, sausage, or even shrimp for an easy twist.
Perfect for any occasion. Quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests.
Ingredient Notes
- Cajun seasoning: If yours contains salt, reduce or omit added salt until tasting.
- Pancetta or bacon: Adds smoky depth—either works. For a Southern twist, try andouille sausage.
- Pasta: Linguine, fettuccine, or penne all hold the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Cream and Parmesan: These create the velvety base. A little reserved pasta water helps emulsify the sauce.
Steps to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil while you prepare the sauce.
- In a large skillet, cook the pancetta until crisp, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté the seasoned chicken in the rendered fat until cooked through, adding a drizzle of oil if needed.
- Cook the pasta to just al dente. Meanwhile, sauté the garlic in the same skillet, then deglaze with chicken broth and stir in the cream. Simmer briefly, then add the Parmesan to thicken the sauce.
- Toss the pasta, chicken, and pancetta in the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if it gets too thick. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra cheese before serving.
Tips
- Because the pancetta adds salty flavor, wait until the end of cooking to add salt.
- Make sure the pasta is cooked to al dente or slightly under that. It will cook a bit more when it’s added to the sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Mushrooms. Sauté sliced mushrooms after the pancetta and chicken for a rich, earthy addition.
- Holy Trinity Veggies. Add diced onion, celery, and green bell pepper for classic Cajun flavor.
- Spinach. Stir in a handful of baby spinach with the Parmesan for color and nutrients.
- Protein Swap. Replace the pancetta with browned andouille sausage or cooked shrimp.
What to Serve With Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Bread: Since it combines Italian and Southern cuisines, many options exist. Choose a crusty baguette, dinner rolls, biscuits, or cornbread.
- Salad: Coleslaw would complement the creamy pasta beautifully, or choose a more elegant Caesar salad.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate. Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours and enjoy within 3 days.
To Reheat. Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Stir often until heated through.
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta, linguine, penne, or fettuccine
- 2 to 3 ounces pancetta, diced, or bacon
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, preferably salt-free
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, grated
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, unsalted or low sodium
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of boiling water. Bring a large pot of salted water—about 1 teaspoon of salt per quart of water—to a boil.
- Cook and drain the pancetta. Cook the pancetta until crispy in a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Leave the rendered fat in the pan.
- Cook the chicken. Place the skillet back over medium heat. Add a few teaspoons of oil if necessary. Toss the chicken pieces with the Cajun seasoning and pepper flakes and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until just cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until just al dente. Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
- Add the garlic and broth. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer. Add the cream and bring to a simmer; reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes or until slightly reduced.
- Finish the dish. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce has thickened slightly. Return the chicken and pancetta to the skillet and stir. Add the cooked pasta, tossing it to coat it thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water or more cream or broth. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with extra Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
