Name: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 8 oz linguine pasta; 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 2 tsp olive oil; 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter; 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

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 27 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a dish that’s rich, comforting, and packed with bold flavors, you’ve got to try this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe. It’s one of those meals that feels fancy enough for dinner guests but comes together quickly enough for a weeknight dinner. I promise, once you make it, it’ll become one of your go-to pasta meals. The spicy kick from the Cajun seasoning paired with a silky, cheesy cream sauce—oh, it’s just irresistible!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Spice and Creaminess: The Cajun seasoning gives just the right amount of heat, while the cream sauce cools everything down perfectly.
Simple, Quality Ingredients: Using fresh garlic, real cream, and good parmesan means the flavors are rich, not artificial.
Hands-On Yet Foolproof: From searing the chicken to simmering the sauce, each step builds flavor with easy techniques you can master.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adjust the spice level or swap ingredients to suit your taste or what you have in the pantry.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Easy Cajun Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Spicy Cajun Pasta - A white round pan filled with creamy orange sauce covers the bottom layer, topped with two sections of white fettuccine pasta, loosely piled with a smooth texture and sprinkled with black pepper. On the left side, sliced grilled chicken with a crispy, dark brown crust is layered neatly over the sauce. Small green herb leaves are scattered over the chicken and pasta for garnish. A small glass bowl with grated cheese sits nearby on a white marbled surface along with two slices of bread. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe plays a key role — from building layers of flavor to creating that wonderful creamy texture. When shopping, choose fresh and quality items because it really makes a difference in the final dish.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Easy Cajun Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Spicy Cajun Pasta - Flat lay of linguine pasta nest, two boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spice, a small white bowl of olive oil, a small chunk of unsalted butter on white ceramic plate, three fresh garlic cloves, a small white bowl with diced ripe red tomatoes, a small white bowl filled with heavy whipping cream, a small white bowl of grated parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of finely chopped fresh parsley, whole uncracked eggs in natural brown shells placed symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Linguine Pasta: Holds the creamy sauce well and cooks up al dente, giving you great bite.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Easy to cook evenly and soaks up Cajun seasoning beautifully.
Olive Oil: For searing the chicken, adds a subtle fruity flavor and keeps things from sticking.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create the velvety base for the sauce.
Cajun Seasoning: The star spice blend that brings smoky, spicy, and earthy notes.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic provides an aromatic punch that makes everything irresistible.
Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and a subtle sweetness to balance the richness.
Heavy Whipping Cream: The essential creaminess that makes the sauce luscious and smooth.
Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, savory depth and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
Fresh Parsley: For a bright, fresh finish that adds color and flavor contrast.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe is how easy it is to adapt to your mood or what’s in your fridge. Over time, I’ve tweaked this recipe to fit my spice tolerance and even added veggies for a little extra goodness. You should absolutely feel free to do the same!

Variation: I sometimes swap linguine for penne or fettuccine depending on texture preference—it works great either way!
Vegetarian Twist: Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms or tofu and double up on the Cajun seasoning for a smoky plant-based version.
Spice Level: Depending on the brand of Cajun seasoning, adjust carefully; I usually start light and add more after tasting the sauce.
Seasonal Touch: Toss in fresh spinach or bell peppers near the end for added color and nutrition.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Perfectly Season and Cook the Chicken

Start by pounding the chicken breasts to even thickness so they cook evenly—this little trick really changed the game for me. Generously coat both sides with about 1½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Heat your olive oil in a non-reactive skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken. Sear it until golden brown on both sides, then reduce to low and cook gently until the internal temperature hits 165˚F. This slow finish prevents dryness and keeps the chicken juicy. Once done, rest the chicken for a few minutes before slicing into thin strips.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes for Flavor Base

In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté just until fragrant—usually 30 to 60 seconds is perfect; don’t let the garlic brown or it’ll become bitter. Toss in the diced tomatoes and cook for another two minutes to soften them and release their sweetness. This forms a beautiful base that balances the creamy sauce to come.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce

Pour in the heavy whipping cream and sprinkle in the remaining Cajun seasoning to taste. Stir in the parmesan cheese slowly, letting it melt into the sauce as it simmers gently—this is where your sauce thickens and becomes velvety. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning or add salt if needed. Remember, some Cajun blends are saltier than others, so taste before adding extra!

Step 4: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce

Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and add the drained linguine. Toss everything together over low heat so the pasta absorbs some sauce and the chicken stays warm. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved warm pasta water a tablespoon at a time to get it to your preferred consistency. Nothing beats a sauce that clings just right to each strand of pasta.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Even Chicken Thickness: Pounding the chicken to uniform thickness ensures it cooks evenly and stays juicy every time.
Non-Reactive Pan: Use stainless steel or non-stick pans — acidic tomatoes can react with cast iron or copper and give a grainy sauce.
Adjust Spice Gradually: Add Cajun seasoning bit by bit, tasting as you go to hit just the right heat level without overpowering the creaminess.
Reserve Pasta Water: Starchy pasta water is magic for loosening sauces and helping them cling to the noodles.

How to Serve Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Easy Cajun Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Spicy Cajun Pasta - A white bowl filled with creamy fettuccine pasta covered in a light orange sauce, mixed with grilled sliced chicken pieces that have a golden brown outside. On top, there are scattered green parsley leaves and thin white shavings of cheese. The sauce looks smooth and well-coated around the thick pasta strands. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a slice of light bread partially shown at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing this pasta with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley—it adds such a fresh pop of color and bright flavor against the creamy sauce. Also, a final dusting of parmesan cheese right before serving ups the decadence factor and makes it irresistible.

Side Dishes

For sides, I usually go with something simple to let the pasta shine—my favorite is a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some garlic roasted broccoli. If I’m feeling indulgent, I might make some crusty bread to mop up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this in individual shallow bowls with a sprig of parsley and a little parmesan pile on top, adding a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a glossy finish. It always feels restaurant-worthy but still cozy and familiar.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I pop any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens quite a bit after chilling, so you’ll want to loosen it with a splash of milk or cream when reheating.

Freezing

Freezing creamy pasta can be tricky because cream sauces sometimes separate. I recommend freezing only if you’re okay with slightly altered texture—and thaw it gently overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a bit of reserved pasta water or cream to revive the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid high heat which can cause the sauce to break or become oily.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While linguine works wonderfully for this recipe because the flat noodles hold the sauce well, you can use penne, fettuccine, or even spaghetti. Just adjust cooking times according to the package instructions.
What’s the best way to avoid a grainy sauce?

Use a non-reactive pan such as stainless steel or non-stick when making this recipe. Avoid cast iron or copper since acidic ingredients like tomatoes can react with those metals, causing the sauce to separate or become grainy.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the components ahead but combine them just before serving for best texture. Leftovers store well for a few days, but keep in mind the sauce thickens when chilled, so loosen it with a splash of cream or pasta water when reheating.
How spicy is the Cajun seasoning in this recipe?

That depends on the brand of seasoning and your tolerance, but generally, this recipe has a moderate heat level. You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to make it milder or spicier—for me, starting with 1½ tablespoons and adding more to taste works perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe has become something of a favorite in my house—it ticks all the boxes of spicy, creamy, and comforting. I love sharing it with friends because it’s impressive without being intimidating, and everyone always asks for seconds. Give it a try and make it your own—you might just find your new weeknight winner!