Description
This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, hearty meal that combines tender Cajun-spiced chicken, penne pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce all cooked together in one skillet. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers bold flavors with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
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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, cut into chunks
- 3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Cajun Seasoning: Combine smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Mix well to create the seasoning blend.
- Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into cubes about 1/2 to 3/4-inch in size. Place in a bowl and sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the pieces. Stir to evenly coat all chicken pieces with the spices.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until hot and the butter is melted and foam appears. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes on each side until the outside develops some color but the chicken is not fully cooked through.
- Sauté the Onion: Add diced yellow onion to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for about 2 minutes, until the onion softens slightly and releases moisture, helping to deglaze the pan by loosening any browned bits stuck to the bottom.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Stir in penne pasta, fire roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth. Mix gently until ingredients are evenly combined. Cover the skillet with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the Pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the pasta simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and the liquid thickens into a sauce.
- Add Cream Cheese: Place chunks of cream cheese into the skillet and stir continuously until the cheese melts fully and integrates into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions on top and serve immediately for a delicious, creamy Cajun chicken pasta meal.
Notes
- The deep skillet used should have a capacity of at least 4 quarts to allow for even cooking and stirring.
- Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer once the broth begins boiling to avoid burning or undercooking the pasta.
- Stir frequently during simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
- You can substitute penne with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini if desired.
- If cream cheese is not available, a combination of heavy cream and grated Parmesan can be used for similar creaminess.
