Description

This Cajun chicken pasta is a vibrant and creamy dish combining tender chicken chunks seasoned with spicy Cajun seasoning, simmered in a rich tomato and cream sauce, and tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s a flavorful and comforting meal that comes together quickly on the stovetop, ideal for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

1 tbsp olive oil
400g chicken breasts, chopped into large chunks
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
2 tbsp Cajun-style seasoning

Sauce

400g can chopped tomatoes or passata
1 chicken stock cube, crumbled
150ml double cream
20g parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve
½ lemon, juiced

Pasta and Garnishes

500g penne or another tube-shaped pasta
Chopped parsley, to serve (optional)

Instructions

Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large, shallow saucepan or deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped chicken breasts, season lightly with salt and pepper, and fry for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden all over but not necessarily cooked through.
Add garlic and seasoning: Stir in the finely chopped or grated garlic and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Then sprinkle over the Cajun-style seasoning, stirring well to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated.
Simmer the sauce: Pour in the chopped tomatoes or passata along with a quarter of a can of water and crumble in the chicken stock cube. Stir the mixture, bring it to a gentle simmer, and cook for 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for a minute less than the package instructions suggest to keep it slightly firm (al dente). Drain the pasta well when done.
Finish the sauce and combine: Stir the double cream into the chicken sauce and allow it to simmer gently. Add the drained pasta to the sauce, stirring to combine. Let the pasta finish cooking in the sauce over low heat for 2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Add final touches: Stir in the finely grated parmesan and the lemon juice, cooking for 1 more minute until everything is warmed through and combined.
Serve: Serve the Cajun chicken pasta straight from the pan or transfer to a large serving bowl. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired for a fresh and cheesy finish.

Notes

You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; they will add more juiciness to the dish.
Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount according to your preferred spice level.
For a lighter version, replace double cream with half cream or a lower-fat cream alternative.
Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best bright flavor.
Parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice color contrast and freshness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy Cajun pasta, spicy chicken pasta, quick stovetop pasta recipe