Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Tender cubes of chicken breast are seared with a homemade Cajun seasoning blend, then simmered with penne pasta, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and chicken broth to create a rich, creamy sauce enhanced by cream cheese. Finished with a garnish of fresh green onions, this hearty dish combines spicy, smoky, and savory flavors all cooked together in a single skillet for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
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
Main Ingredients:
- 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, cut into chunks
- 3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Cajun Seasoning and Chicken: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to make the Cajun seasoning. Toss the cubed chicken breast with the seasoning until fully coated.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot and the butter is melted and foamy, add the seasoned chicken cubes. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side just until the outside begins to brown; the chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
- Add Onions: Add diced yellow onion to the skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes until the onion softens and loosens any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add Pasta, Tomatoes, and Broth: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth. Combine all ingredients evenly and cover the skillet with a lid. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Pasta: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low. Let the pasta simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Cream Cheese: Add cream cheese chunks to the skillet and stir until completely melted and incorporated into the sauce, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and top with sliced green onions. Serve hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For spicier pasta, add extra cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- If the sauce thickens too much while simmering, add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to loosen it.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried if available for more vibrant flavor.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently with a splash of broth to maintain creaminess.
