This creamy one-pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy and tasty dish that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Made with tender chicken, bow tie pasta, and colorful bell peppers in a Cajun-seasoned cream sauce, it’s such a simple meal to whip up! This recipe is quick, flavorful and a must try.

Creamy bow tie pasta served in a bowl with a fork.

The Cajun Chicken Pasta is my daughter’s favorite meal to order when we go to Chili’s, so I decided to come up with a copycat recipe. She’s not a fan of tomatoes, so we left those out and instead added in some sautéed bell pepper. One bite and she was in heaven. In fact, she thinks this homemade version is better then what she gets at Chili’s restaurant!

She’s not the only one in our family that loves pasta! Pasta meals are always a hit, and this Cajun-inspired chicken pasta is no exception. Fresh veggies, tender chicken and bow tie pasta are combined with a creamy Cajun sauce that coats every bite for the best dinner. This pasta recipe is super easy to make and mild enough that the whole family can enjoy it.

Add a slice of homemade French bread to soak up the deliciousness, plus a simple salad and you’ve got yourself an incredible pasta night!

Just made this last night and it was so easy and delicious! Definitely going to plan on making again in the future, especially since it requires such simple ingredients.

— Betty
Creamy pasta served garnished with fresh parsley.

Ingredients needed

You’re going to fall in LOVE with this cajun chicken pasta recipe! It requires only simple, easy-to-find ingredients and comes together with very little effort. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:

  • Pasta. You need 2 cups of your favorite medium-sized pasta. We typically use bowtie pasta, also known as farfalle pasta. Linguine is another popular option for making Cajun pasta recipes. Penne pasta works too! Feel free to substitute whole grain or whole wheat pasta for added nutritional value. And if you’re on a gluten-free diet, you can use a gluten-free pasta.
  • Chicken. Use any cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is my go-to because it’s convenient and adds so much extra flavor.
  • Veggies. For color, we like to use yellow and red bell peppers – you can use whatever bell pepper variety you prefer. Keep in mind that red peppers are the sweetest, yellow and orange peppers are mild, and green peppers can be somewhat bitter.
  • Creamy sauce. Cream cheese along with milk, flour and spices are blended together to create the deliciously creamy sauce. Feel free to sub heavy cream for the milk for a richer sauce.
  • Cajun spices. To flavor this dish, we’re using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and black pepper. Not all Cajun seasoning is created equal – some have a bit more heat than others. Mine is on the conservative side, so if you like more heat, add a dash or two of red pepper. I also didn’t use a ton of spices, feel free to increase the amounts based on your personal preference.
  • Chicken broth. Not only adds flavor, but also adds the perfect amount of liquid for the sauce.

The above list is just an overview of the ingredients used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!

 

Adding cream sauce to chicken in a pan.
Stirring chicken in a skillet.

How to make this recipe

Please see the recipe card for the full, printable recipe with all of the details.

This Cajun pasta recipe is great because it’s very straightforward and moves quickly. We recommend prepping the cooked chicken, chopping the bell pepper and getting the pasta cooking in a large pot before starting anything else. Here’s the simple method:

  1. Prep: Boil pasta to al dente and drain the pasta according to package instructions. Chop or shred cooked chicken. I like to use a rotisserie chicken. Chop peppers.
  2. Sauté peppers. Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray or heat about 1/2 tablespoon olive oil or butter over medium to medium-high heat. Add peppers and sauté until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Make cream sauce. While the peppers are cooking, use a blender to combine milk, flour, cream cheese and seasonings until fully combined.
  4. Cook chicken. Add chicken to the pan with the peppers. Reduce heat to low and pour in the cream sauce, stir while it thickens, about 1 minute.
  5. Add chicken broth + pasta. Pour in the chicken broth, and stir to fully combine. Stir in the cooked pasta. Let the dish simmer on low for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Serve. Garnish, if you’d like, serve and enjoy!

 

Adding chicken broth to a skillet.
Bow tie pasta in a cream sauce in a pot.

Expert tips

This pasta dish is really simple, but here are a few tips to make sure it’s absolutely perfect every time!

  • Cooking pasta. Don’t forget to season the water with plenty of salt before adding in the pasta; otherwise this dish may taste under-seasoned. As a general rule of thumb, add 1 tsp salt per 4 cups of water.
  • Chicken. For this recipe, you can use chicken that is cut into strips, shredded or diced into bite size pieces.
  • Heat level. This cajun pasta is very mild. I’ve served it to small children with no issues. However, if you’d like to add a little kick to this dish, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. You can also top with red pepper flakes.

Frequently asked questions

Can cajun chicken pasta be made vegetarian?

Definitely! To make vegetarian cajun pasta, simply omit the chicken or add in veggies like sautéed mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli and/or asparagus. Also, use vegetable broth rather than chicken broth.

Can I substitute the chicken with another meat?

This dish would be great with sliced sausage or kielbasa instead of chicken. You can also make it a seafood pasta and use shrimp instead of chicken. Check out my recipe for cajun shrimp pasta!

Can I use store-bought cajun seasoning?

You can definitely use cajun seasoning from the store that has already been mixed. Start with 1/2 teaspoon, taste and add more as desired.

Make ahead option

If you don’t wish to serve this dish right away, you can make it in advance to serve later. In fact, the flavors will develop even more as it sits!

Keep in mind that the pasta will absorb a lot of the sauce, so your dish will be less creamy if you make it in advance and store all the ingredients together.

Another alternative would be to prepare everything except for the pasta, and then to cook the pasta fresh when you are ready to serve, and add it to your other ingredients after re-heating them.

Storage recommendations

Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave, splashed with a bit of water, chicken broth, chicken stock or milk to keep it from drying out as you rewarm it. I do not recommend freezing leftovers.

Cajun Chicken Pasta served in bowls garnished with fresh parsley.

This creamy cajun chicken pasta is absolutely perfect for a busy weeknight, but it’s also impressive enough to serve for a special occasion. Add a loaf of bread and a side salad, and you’ve got a feast!

This dish has quickly become part of our regular dinner rotation. It’s fast, filling, pretty to look at, and a crowd pleaser – what more could you ask for?!

More pasta recipes

Looking for more easy pasta recipes? Give these family-friendly recipes a try:

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Creamy bow tie pasta served in a bowl with a fork.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 30 votes
Leave a Review »

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
This creamy one-pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy and tasty dish that's ready in under 30 minutes. Made with tender chicken, bow tie pasta, and colorful bell peppers in a Cajun-seasoned cream sauce, it's such a simple meal to whip up! This recipe is quick, flavorful and a must try.
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 8 oz bow tie pasta, cooked according to package instructions
  • 2-3 cups cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken is a great option
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped bell peppers, any variety works, but I like to use red, orange and yellow for plenty of color
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, light or regular
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Optional for garnish: parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley

Instructions 

  • Set aside cooked pasta. Chop or shred cooked chicken. I like to use a rotisserie chicken. Chop peppers.
  • Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray or heat about 1/2 tablespoon oil. Sauté peppers over medium heat until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, use a blender to combine milk, flour, cream cheese and seasonings until fully combined.
  • Add chicken to peppers in the pan. Reduce heat to low and add the cream sauce, stir while it thickens, about 1 minute.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, and stir to fully combine. Add and stir in the cooked pasta. Let the dish simmer on low for 1-2 minutes. Garnish, serve and enjoy.

Notes

I recommend prepping the cooked chicken, chopping the bell pepper and getting the pasta cooking in a large pot before starting anything else.
photos by sasha at eat love eats
Author: Kim
Course: Main
Cuisine: American, cajun
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 458mg, Potassium: 292mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 2086IU, Vitamin C: 72mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @kimscravings on Instagram and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!