This Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is the ultimate quick comfort meal—tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, rigatoni, and a smoky tomato-cream sauce that clings to every bite. It tastes restaurant-level but comes together fast with simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a cozy lunch. The sauce is creamy without being heavy, and you can easily adjust the heat with chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne. If you’re searching for an easy Cajun chicken pasta or a creamy spicy pasta recipe, this one hits the spot every single time.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 2
Ingredients List
- 1 tbsp olive oil (to marinate chicken) + more for frying
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 4 thin pieces
- 7 oz rigatoni (or pasta of choice)
- 1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ onion, sliced
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced
- ½ cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional garnish: chili flakes, chopped parsley
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large pot (for pasta)
- Strainer
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Tongs
- Knife + cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowl
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, toss chicken with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Massage to coat and set aside. 😊
- Cook pasta: Boil rigatoni until 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Multitask tip: While pasta boils, cook the chicken.
- Sear chicken: Heat skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of oil. Cook chicken 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté veggies: In the same skillet, add butter. Sauté onion + garlic 1–2 minutes until fragrant, then add bell pepper and cook 2 minutes.
- Make the sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, heavy cream, ½ cup pasta water, and remaining ½ tbsp Cajun seasoning. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thick and glossy. ✨
- Combine: Add pasta and half the chicken (sliced into bite-size pieces). Toss 1–2 minutes until pasta is tender and coated.
- Finish: Stir in Parmesan. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Serve: Top each bowl with the remaining chicken pieces. Garnish with chili flakes + parsley if desired 🔥🌿
Pro Tips
- Extra spicy: Add ¼ tsp cayenne to the sauce or increase chili flakes.
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash more pasta water until silky.
- Protein swaps: Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
- Meal prep: Store in airtight container up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water or cream.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 720 | 45g | 62g | 33g | 4g | 8g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, toss chicken with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
- Cook pasta 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Cook chicken 2–3 minutes per side until cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter. Sauté onion and garlic 1–2 minutes, then add bell pepper and cook 2 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, heavy cream, 1/2 cup pasta water, and remaining 1/2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add pasta and half the chicken (sliced into bite-size pieces). Toss 1–2 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Stir in Parmesan. Taste and add salt if needed.
- Serve with remaining chicken on top and garnish with chili flakes and parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
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Let us know how it was!Conclusion
This Spicy Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a fast, flavor-packed comfort meal you can make anytime. Creamy tomato sauce, tender chicken, and just the right kick—done in 25 minutes.