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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.

Pan of pasta with tomato and chicken sauce with green peppers and onions and basil

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 Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe

⭐️ Convenient one pan recipe

⭐️ Packed with hidden veggies

⭐️ Super tasty and packs a punch


Pasta with spiced chicken and tomato sauce and basil leaves on top

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!


Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredients

  • 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 for this Cajun Chicken Pasta

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.

Cajun Chicken Pasta FAQ

Can you recommend a good pan for this recipe?

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).

4.99 from 70 votes

Cajun Chicken Pasta {One Pan Recipe}

A super tasty one pan dinner recipe, packed with cajun flavours and extra vegetables. You'll love this Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 People

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).

Notes

Cajun spice mix: Use whichever brand you prefer but note that the spice level may vary greatly! If you’re unsure about the one you are using and are cooking for children or people not keen on spice, it may be worth using half the measured amount and adding the rest later if required.
Onions and garlic: I use pre prepared frozen, chopped here. An onion weighs about 150g, so replace with that pre chopped weight. Garlic is about 5g per clove so I use 15g (3 teaspoons).
Vegetable stock: Made up with a cube is fine. I like the brand Marigold best.

Nutrition

Calories: 515kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 39gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 1176mgPotassium: 1188mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1145IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Family Food
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Sarah Rossi founder of TamingTwins.com and author of 'What's for Dinner?' books.

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32 Comments

  1. This was the first recipe i came across and wow so delicious. My 16 year old daughter struggles massively to eat food with a sauce and veg but even she scoffs down a full plate. Its now become a weekly request from her and her boyfriend which is amazing. I make my own Cajun mix for the recipe as the few i tried ready made in the shops were not as flavorsome and have since tried many more of your delicious recipes !

  2. 5 stars
    Absolutely love this recipe it’s a weekly favourite all the family adore it and it’s so quick and easy too. Any left overs are taken to work the next day. I have recommended to family too and they all love.

  3. 5 stars
    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

  4. 5 stars
    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!

  5. 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?