This is a super tasty one pan dinner recipe, packed with cajun flavours and extra vegetables.
This Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is easy and quick – ready in about 30 minutes – and offers spicy, creamy satisfaction all round.
A one pan recipe is always my go to for midweek dinners. They require minimal thought, ingredients (or washing up) but = maximum comfort food.
This Cajun Chicken Pasta is packed with (almost) hidden veggies for a complete meal. The Cajun flavour mix is a great shortcut to a super tasty dish and it’s all cooked in a single pan, with the pasta cooking right IN the sauce.
Why you’ll love this recipe
⭐️ Convenient one pan recipe
⭐️ Packed with hidden veggies
⭐️ Super tasty and packs a punch
About this Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun seasoning is made up of a blend of spices from a cuisine that originates from Louisiana, with roots in French Canadian cooking. While there’s no definitive list of ingredients and it can vary, it usually incorporates onion, paprika, pepper, salt and often cayenne, turmeric, oregano and thyme.
It’s used to flavour so many types of dishes these days, and can transform the simplest of recipes. You could try out my Cajun Style Dirty Rice or Salmon Taco with Cajun Spice for starters!
What you’ll need
- Olive oil
- Chicken breasts – Skinless and boneless
- Cajun spice mix – Use whichever brand you prefer but note that the spice level may vary greatly!
- Onions – I use pre-prepared frozen but fresh is OK too
- Garlic – Same as above
- Green peppers
- Celery
- Dried pasta – Of your choice
- Vegetable stock – Made with a cube is fine
- Tinned tomatoes
- Cream cheese
- Basil
Substitutions
- Chicken – If you want to make this meat-free, you could use vegetarian chicken or another protein, or just omit this ingredients.
- Cream cheese – If you don’t like this, you can just omit it or add a splash of double cream instead.
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. HOWEVER, if you don’t serve this as soon as it’s cooked, you’ll find that the sauce absorbs into the pasta and there’s not a lot left. It won’t affect the taste, you may just want to add a splash more stock when you warm it through.
Reheat fully by in the microwave or on the hob before serving.
Top tip
Type of cajun spice
I use any of the regular supermarket mixes. The type in a jar rather than a sachet.
They will vary A LOT in how strong they taste, so if you’re concerned about this being too spicy, use half the amount and add more later if needed.
FAQ
I have done my homework on one-pan pans because I use them so often and having one that ticks all the boxes is a must for me. This tried-and-tested pan review reveals my findings, which I hope you’ll find useful!
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Cajun Chicken Pasta {One Pan Recipe}
Ingredients
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 500 g Chicken breasts Skinless and boneless, cut into chunks
- 3 tbsp Cajun spice mix See notes
- 1 Onions See notes
- 3 Cloves of garlic See notes
- 2 Green peppers (large) Deseeded and chopped
- 3 Sticks of celery Trimmed and cut into small pieces
- 250 g Dried pasta
- 750 ml Vegetable stock See notes
- 400 g Tin of tomatoes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve:
- 100 g Cream cheese
- Basil to garnish Optional
Instructions
- Heat your olive oil in a large, deep frying pan (or saucepan) which has a lid. Add the chicken and half of the Cajun spice mix. Fry for 5 minutes until the chicken is starting to brown.
- Add in the onions, garlic, green peppers, celery and remaining Cajun spice mix. Cook for a further 5-10 minutes until everything is softened.
- Add the pasta, vegetable stock, tinned tomatoes and salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir, pop the lid on and cook for 10-13 minutes (or according to the instructions on the pasta pack).
- When the pasta is cooked al dente, remove from the heat and stir throught the cream cheese and some fresh basil (if using).
Emma says
Turned out great, easy and tasty and my 3 year old liked it too, so thank you!
Sarah Barnes says
So glad you both liked it Emma!
Eimear says
Oh wow this is amazing…I followed the exact receipe and its absolutely devine. Definitely prep everything first…it is a quick and easy recipe. I’m not a fan of celery but it goes perfect in this recipe..I wouldn’t change anything. Thank you for sharing it.
Hazel says
This was so easy to make and delicious! A big hit in our house. Thank you Sarah 😊
DEW says
had this tonight quick easy and tastes good!!
Miri says
I was feeling lazy, so I bunged it all in the slow cooker on low for 4 hours and it was heaaaaaven!! Definitely going down as one of our favourites!!
Sue says
Really lovely ! Very tasty & all in one pot … !
Family all loved it & told me I need to make it again. Thanks Sarah ❤️
Brie says
So easy to make and delicious! Just the right amount of spice 🤩 Thanks Sarah x
Rachel says
Hi, My husband hates cream cheese can you suggest using anything else ? Thanks Rachel
Sarah Barnes says
You can just omit it Rachel, or add a splash of double cream if you had any, but it’ll also be fine without. Enjoy!
Sarah says
Great recipe, really tasty and love the fact it can all be cooked in one pot. A great midweek meal.
Rachel says
This was so easy to cook. Takes a little bit of prep first which I did ahead of cooking. I used double the amount of chicken as have 3 large men to feed! Everyone enjoyed it and went back for seconds. I might use slightly less stock next time as it did make quite a bit of sauce – which was delicious! The addition of the cream cheese at the end makes a lovely creamy sauce. A winner in my house!
Amanda Smith says
Gorgeous. I read your blog and followed the instructions exactly snd it was soooo tasty. Your recipes are so easy. My husband thanks you for making meal times delicious, finally, after 28 years of tasteless, bland, freezer or take away meals.
Sarah Barnes says
Oh Amanda thank you so much for your lovely comments. I’m so happy you’re enjoying them!
Bev says
Just had this for tea tonight! It was so tasty- May cut down on the amount of seasoning just a bit next time – lips on fire!! Lol! Great recipe though. Thank you for all you do. Bev x
Katie says
Fantastic recipe!!! I added a little chilli powder to spice it up a bit more 😋 my partner loved it and he really isn’t a pasta dish fan lol. I look forward to making more of your tasty meals x
Tich says
My husband is still raving over this! I added in a carrot and some courgette, just t use them up, but it was fabulous! Husband says he wants it frequently!
Sinéad says
I loved the method of this recipe but the combo of Cajun and pasta just didn’t hit the spot for me. BUT my husband loved it, so it gets our combined average of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Gabby says
Lovely recipe. We used rigatoni and the flavours were super tasty!
Anita says
This recipe is amazing, so delicious and easy to make.
My son absolutely loves it
Comfort food at its best.
Thank you so much
Jules says
Absolutely Delish.
Finding meals both my 12 YO and 10 YO enjoy is really tricky but this went down really well and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. With my youngest declaring it was her favourite dinner in ages and for us NEVER to go back to Hello fresh lol.
As a working mum, i need quick and enjoyable food and this definitely didnt disappoint and with minimal washing up, my children are happy too 😉
Thank you for cheering up our dinner times x
Victoria says
Amazing recipe! Followed exactly as per the instructions. Kids have rated top 5 of everything i have ever made and i cook daily from different recipes. So happy to have found you. My meal planning has become so much easier as I leave it to you now 😀
Jen says
Super YUMMY! Even my fussy 21 year old ate it!
Great for a quick evening meal after a busy day!
Tonz says
This is so lovely, everyone liked it! Thank you 😁
Hayley says
This is a big hit in our house, we all love it. And I also chuck in whatever sad looking veg is lurking in the fridge draw too! Not authentic but ups the veg portions for everyone!
Abby says
Is the cajun spice mix a packet mix or just from the usual 45g (ish) jars you find in the spice aisle with your other dried herbs?
Melissa says
DELICIOUS!! This is going into my fave recipes bookmark and I can’t wait to cook it for my family. Chicken was so tender as well. Yum yum yum!
Alison says
So scrumptious. It’s now on the favourites list!
Kristina says
I cooked this recipe tonight as saw how quick and easy it is and it’s shrove Tuesday so have pancakes to make too!
This was delicious it indeed was quick and easy and so tasty. I doubled up as 5 of us and 3 are grown men and everybody loved it extras wanted all round.
This is a staple in the family menu now. I have already recommended to family members. Thank you Sarah