Why you’ll be obsessed with this pasta recipe

This creamy Cajun chicken pasta is up there with my favourite pasta dishes. I’ve always been a big fan of cajun seasoning, so when I thought of using it to season and spice up a rich and creamy sauce, I was so excited. 

There’s a lot that’s going on in terms of both flavour and nutrients for this recipe. We achieve a creamy, cheesy sauce by using cream cheese. I find this to be a cheat ingredient that provides both the creamy body to the sauce, whilst also providing the cheesy undertones. So there’s no need to buy both parmesan and heavy cream like you see in other creamy Cajun pasta recipes. 

We have an array of veggies that dive into the pan to make this a well balanced dinner recipe. It’s packed full of protein, thanks to the incredibly tender, Cajun infused chicken breast. 

And last but not least, it’s 509 kcal per portion, making it perfect for meal prep. You can freeze half the batch to spread out the portions or if you’re as obsessed as I am, you’ll want to eat this spicy chicken pasta in one week. 

More pasta recipes you should try after this recipe: 

• • Halloumi Pasta
  • Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Pasta alla Vodka)
  • Simple Pork Stroganoff

Ingredients

Chicken Breast

The perfect lean source of protein for this spicy creamy pasta. When seared on a high heat with the cajun seasoning, it creates the best chicken to top our pasta with. 

Tagliatellie 

The pasta for this recipe is flexible, so choose your favourite. I love tagliatellie in this recipe, as it pairs with creamy recipes really well. 

Mixed Peppers

Try to find a variety of bell peppers to maximise the different nutrients from each colour. Peppers are a must in this recipe, as they act as a sweet contrast to the rich and spicy sauce. 

Peas

To add some greens in our creamy Cajun chicken pasta. Feel free to substitute with green beans if you prefer. 

Onion and Garlic

For the aromatic base of our spicy creamy pasta. Feel free to up the garlic quantity, depending on your preference. 

Cream Cheese

Provides both the cream element and the cheese element to the sauce, making this a savvy swap to keep our budget intact.

Fresh basil 

For freshness and flavour. You could also top with dill, parsley or coriander. 

Lemon

To brighten our creamy sauce.

FOR THE SAUCE

What’s is Cajun seasoning made of?

Created in Louisiana, cajun seasoning is a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, pepper, oregano and salt. 

Every blend is different, depending on which brand you get. The spice can vary, the salt level can vary, so adjust as necessary to ensure by taste testing your cajun chicken pasta as you. 

If the Cajun pasta cream sauce lacks some heat, add a bit more, just refrain from adding lots of salt after this point as you may over salt your dish. 

How to make creamy Cajun chicken pasta

To make this creamy Cajun chicken pasta, first start by prepping the vegetables, thinly slicing the peppers and onion.

Then coat the chicken breast in Cajun spice (1 tsp), dried basil and olive oil.

Preheat a stainless steel pan (or non-stick if you don’t have) over a high heat and sear the chicken on each side for 3 minutes.

Once the chicken is cooked (golden brown on both sides) set aside.  Deglaze the pan with a splash of water, scrubbing all of the tasty caramelized bits of meat off the bottom of the pan.

Next, add the onions into the pan and reduce the heat to medium/low. Season with salt and cook for around 3 minutes.

Add add the peppers and cook for a further 4 minutes.

At this stage, add your tagliatelle to heavily salted boiling water. Timer set to 2 minutes minus the packet time.  Next, add the tomato puree, garlic and Cajun spice into the pan. Fry for around 2 minutes before adding a ladle of pasta water.

Add the cream cheese into the pan along with the chicken stock and lemon juice. Stir to combine and add the al dente pasta. Continue to cook and stir to incorporate everything. Loosen with pasta water as necessary and when the pasta is perfectly cooked and the sauce has thickened, serve immediately. Top with Cajun chicken (sliced into chunks), a sprinkle of chilli flakes and torn fresh basil.

Tips and tricks for the best result

• Preheat your pan before searing your chicken. This will ensure the best browning and flavour.
• Achieve a nice sear on one side, not both. By searing both sides heavily, you run the risk of drying out the chicken breast. Therefore, reduce the heat slightly when cooking the second side.
• Deglaze all the fonde (meaty bits stuck to the pan) with a splash of water to infuse into the onion. This adds another dimension of flavour to the creamy cajun chicken pasta.
   
• Heavily salt your pasta water so that your pasta is well seasoned. 

Storage/Reheat information

Can I reheat this creamy Cajun pasta?

Definitely! You can use this recipe as meal prep. Simply divide the pasta and chicken into containers for individual portions and refrigerate for up to 5 days. When it’s time to eat, add 1 tbsp of pasta water and pop in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, stirring once in the middle. Top with fresh basil, chilli flakes and enjoy! 

Can I freeze this recipe?
You can! Freeze this easy cajun pasta for up to 3 months. To defrost, we want to thaw in the fridge overnight as we dont want to leave the chicken at room temp by accident for any long duration. 

Other easy dinner recipes you should try out …

Halloumi Tacos (Vegetarian Soft Tacos) Singapore Fried Rice (Simple & Easy) Crispy Chilli Chicken (Healthy Fakeaway Chinese)