One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

By Beth Moncel
4.65
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433
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Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Servings 4
$9.41 recipe / $2.35 serving
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It’s been a while since I’ve made a one-pot pasta! But this weekend I got a craving for a creamy, smoky, spicy, easy one pot dish, so I set to work! This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is incredibly easy to make, so it’s perfect for weeknight dinners. I have a few variations for you below (spicy, non-spicy, creamy, non-creamy) so be sure to read on! :)

One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta ready to be served out of the pan.
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“Good, easy, simple recipe. The sauce is perfect, and creamy, the spices are great, the only thing i did different was add a little lemon juice and it enhanced the flavor. My fiancé and I are obsessed with this meal!”

Julietta

What is Cajun Chicken Pasta?

This tasty pasta dish is one of my favorite easy weeknight meals. Everything happens in one pan, and there’s so little to clean up afterward. I mix tender cubes of chicken with plenty of savory (and hot!) spices, tomatoes, pasta, and cream cheese to create this flavorful one pot Cajun chicken pasta dish. It’s super simple to make, costs less than $10 total, and feeds the whole family!

Ingredients for One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Here’s what you’ll need to make creamy Cajun chicken pasta:

  • Spices: Smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt infuse this dish with a savory and spicy flavor.
  • Fats: Olive oil helps the chicken cook without burning, and butter adds richness and flavor to the dish. You can use all oil if you prefer. I like the flavor olive oil adds, but vegetable or canola oil both work well and cut costs a bit.
  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are my favorite lean protein for this dish. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
  • Onion: Yellow onion adds a sweet and earthy flavor to the dish.
  • Penne Pasta: Cooks perfectly right in the pan. Any short pasta shape will work, but skip longer noodles.
  • Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Add a smoky and acidic flavor to the dish.
  • Chicken Broth: Helps create a rich and flavorful sauce. You can also dissolve chicken bouillon in water to help cut costs.
  • Cream Cheese: Makes this dish rich and creamy.
  • Green Onions: Add a pop of freshness and color to the dish.

Serving Suggestions

This is a one pot meal, so you could totally end it right there and be completely satisfied. But I like to add a salad or some bread to round it off. My classic Caesar salad really plays up the creaminess of this dish. Or try some homestyle cornbread for a little sweetness to balance out the heat!

Recipe Tips!

  1. Adjust the Heat: This pasta is spicy. BUT you can adjust the heat by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper in the Cajun seasoning. You can cut it in half for just a little heat, or if you are completely spicy intolerant, leave the cayenne out altogether. That makes me kind of sad, but I completely understand. Sometimes your body and brain don’t want the same thing. :)
  2. Make it Creamy (Or Not): If you can’t do cream cheese, feel free to replace it with a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half. I’d probably use about 1/4 cup of heavy cream or 1/2 cup of half-and-half. OR, if you don’t want it creamy at all, that works too. This pasta was quite delicious even before I added the cream cheese, but the creaminess does balance the heat and acidity very well.
  3. Make it Extra: If you want this pasta to be super over the top, try adding some cooked bacon, or a final dusting of Parmesan cheese. That little bit of extra umami flavor will really take this Cajun Chicken Pasta over the top! Or, in place of or in addition to, you could add shrimp. 

Other Chicken Pasta Recipes You Might Like:

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One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

4.65 from 433 votes
Cook a complete dinner in one pot with this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, using mostly pantry-stable items. Perfect for busy weeknights! 
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta in the pan.
Servings 4
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 30 minutes

Ingredients

Cajun Seasoning

  • 2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.20)
  • 1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
  • 1 tsp thyme ($0.10)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)

Chicken Pasta

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
  • 1 Tbsp butter ($0.13)
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast ($5.47)
  • 1 yellow onion, diced ($0.32)
  • 1/2 lb. penne pasta (uncooked) ($0.75)
  • 15 oz. fire roasted diced tomatoes ($1.00)
  • 2 cups chicken broth ($0.26)
  • 2 oz. cream cheese ($0.50)
  • 3 green onions, sliced ($0.25)
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Instructions 

  • Combine the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over top, and stir to coat the chicken in spices.
  • Add the olive oil and butter to a large deep skillet. Heat the oil and butter over medium-high until the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for a couple minutes on each side, or just until the outside gets some color. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
  • Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and continue to sauté for about 2 minutes more, or just until the onion begins to soften. Allow the moisture from the onion to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  • Next, add the pasta, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices), and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir just until everything is evenly combined, then place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil.
  • Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick and saucy.
  • Add the cream cheese to the skillet in chunks, then stir until it has melted into the sauce. Top the pasta with sliced green onions and serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.


Equipment

  • Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
  • White Cutting Boards
  • Glass Mixing Bowls

Notes

  • The deep skillet I use is a 4-quart capacity.
  • Depending on your cookware, you may need to adjust the heat up or down to maintain a simmer in the broth. Be sure to stir often to prevent the pasta from sticking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 482.65kcalCarbohydrates: 51.53gProtein: 34.95gFat: 14.58gSodium: 847.23mgFiber: 3.45g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
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A bowl full of One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta being eaten.

how to make One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta – step by step photos

Seasoned cubed chicken with Cajun seasoning in a glass bowl

Stir together the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl (2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt). Cut one pound boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over top, then stir to coat the chicken in the spices.

Sauté Chicken Pieces in Cajun Seasoning

Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy, add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side, or just until they get some color. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.

Onions added to skillet with cooked chicken and Cajun seasoning.

Add one diced yellow onion and continue to sauté for just a couple minutes more, or until the onion just begins to soften. The moisture from the onion should help dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Add Pasta Fire Roasted Tomatoes and Chicken Broth

Add 1/2 lb. penne to the skillet along with one 15oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices) and 2 cups chicken broth. 

Stir Ingredients to Combine

Give everything a brief stir to make sure it’s all combined, then place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, turn it down to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. 

Simmer Cajun Chicken Pasta

Simmer until the pasta is tender and the broth has become thicker and more saucy in texture. 

Add Cream Cheese to Cajun Chicken Pasta

Add 2 oz. cream cheese to the skillet in small chunks. Stir until the cheese has melted into the sauce.

Finished One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Top with sliced green onions and SERVE! This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is going to be on regular rotation in my house. :)

A bowl full of One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

I think this bowl of pasta is begging for some Freezer Garlic Bread, what about you?

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Tessa Brantley
07.24.25 2:29 pm

I’ve made this twice in a week! First time I made it as written and it was perfect. We bulk shop at Costco and Sam’s because we live rural so I think the cost per item might have even been less if breaking it down the way the author did. Only thing I changed the second time around was adding two bell peppers, 100 grams of spinach, and doubled the cream cheese because of buying in bulk it just made sense! My entire family loved it, it’s so easy, and it’s going on my weekly meal prep rotation.

Ben
07.23.25 9:33 pm

Amazing and easy to make! Was surprised by how affordable it is and how much you can make with just one batch. Thanks BB!

Merrill
07.21.25 11:40 am

Will cook this for my husband’s birthday next week. I can already tell he will love it. Quick and stupid question, when you add the penne to the skillet along with one 15oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices) and 2 cups chicken broth. Does the penne need to be pre-cooked already?

Jess Rice
07.21.25 12:49 pm
Reply to  Merrill

Nope, the noodles go in raw! The juices and broth will cook the noodles and leave you with a delicious thick sauce. :)

Madison
07.12.25 7:08 pm

This is a good, easy week night recipe and pretty cheap too! I’ve made it a few times already and made it as directed the first time. It was tasty, but I felt the flavor profile better suited a sausage and I loved it even more! Thanks!

Angela
07.03.25 9:00 am

This meal is not under ten dollars. You can’t buy 2 oz of cream cheese. You have to buy 8oz. 3 bucks. If you don’t have all them seasonings.. this meal cost 30 bucks

Jess Rice
07.06.25 3:48 pm
Reply to  Angela

You can buy 8oz cream cheese at Walmart for $1.76 right now, if that helps.

Julie
07.03.25 4:25 am

This was an easy and very tasty dish. I did use extra full cream and added grated Parmesan. Will be making again

marwa
06.30.25 12:59 pm

it was good ngl

Pixie
06.25.25 8:04 pm

I wish I got a good picture. I’ll be honest I haven’t cooked by myself/ with minimal help since I was In school, this is the first recipe where I have been the one to actually cook it (in my adult years.) Not only did I shock myself. But I shocked my bf and he’s so proud of me. It was absolutely delicious and even more so thinking about how much money I saved making it. It was so so good. He said he was very proud of me so I owe it to ya haha.

Laurie
06.23.25 8:22 am

A creamy, one‑pot pasta with a little spicy kick that feels fancy but takes under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy nights. Everyone in our house loves this recipe! Most of the time we leave the cream cheese out and it still tastes perfect.

Jon
06.20.25 5:21 pm

My partner loves this recipe and eats it weekly.

Trick*
Skip the spices and add 3/4 tablespoon of tony’s. It is the same thing 💪

Abby
06.17.25 1:46 pm

This was an easy weeknight dish to make. I did cook the chicken all the way through and then take out and re-added it at the end as I was afraid it might become overcooked. I also added some diced up mushrooms and red peppers I had in the fridge, that needed to be used. My three-year-old and nine month old both ate the pasta which is a win for this mom. I did feel like it could’ve used a little extra something to make is 5 stars, like maybe a bit of bacon on top, as another reviewer suggested, or a bit of Parmesan cheese. It was very good and easy – highly recommend for an easy weeknight meal Thanks for the delicious recipe

A B
06.11.25 7:48 pm

Enjoyed this! Only downside was chicken was over cooked by staying in the pot while the pasta was cooking. Next time I’ll put it to the side and add the chicken back in at the end.

Nadia
06.06.25 9:07 am

My boyfriend and I loved this recipe! We left out the green onions and added 1 cup of spinach to it instead. We made cornbread with homemade honey butter on the side and it was amazing! The way that the heat of the dish cuts through the sweetness of the cornbread was sooo good. This is a keeper for us. Thank you!

Rebecca
05.22.25 5:27 pm

It was excellent. I added 1/2 pkg diced mushrooms. For my husband, I only put 1/2 the amount of cayenne in my homemade Cajun seasoning (Emeril’s recipe).

Lisa
05.22.25 7:49 am

Do you think I could sub Greek yogurt for cream cheese?

Paige Rhodes
05.26.25 10:12 am
Reply to  Lisa

You could give it a try, but it definitely would have that same creaminess!

lisa
05.26.25 11:03 pm
Reply to  Paige Rhodes

i ended up using goat cheese and that actually worked great! easy and made great leftovers too!