Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta combines bold Cajun spices with tender chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, and creamy sauce all cooked together in one skillet for an easy, flavorful weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Chicken Pasta
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 lb penne pasta (uncooked)
- 15 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 3 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare Cajun Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to create the Cajun seasoning mix.
- Season the Chicken: Cube the chicken breasts into 1/2 to 3/4-inch pieces. Place in a bowl and sprinkle the prepared Cajun seasoning over the top. Stir well to ensure all chicken pieces are evenly coated with the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts and becomes foamy. Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes on each side until the exterior develops a slight color but chicken is not fully cooked through.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with chicken and sauté for about 2 minutes until the onion softens slightly. Stir occasionally to release moisture and dissolve any browned bits stuck to the skillet bottom.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Pour in the uncooked penne pasta, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Pasta: Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the broth to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and allow pasta to simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until pasta is tender and the liquid thickens to a creamy sauce consistency.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Add chunks of cream cheese to the skillet and stir vigorously until the cream cheese completely melts and incorporates into the sauce creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish the creamy Cajun chicken pasta with sliced green onions on top. Serve warm for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- The deep skillet used for this recipe is 4-quart capacity to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
- Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer when cooking the pasta to prevent scorching or sticking.
- Stir frequently during simmering to ensure pasta cooks evenly and does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
