Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a perfect blend of bold Cajun spices, tender chicken, and a rich, velvety sauce served over perfectly cooked linguine pasta. This dish combines the heat and depth of Cajun seasoning with the smoothness of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, accented with sun-dried tomatoes and fragrant Italian herbs. It’s an easy yet impressive recipe that makes weeknight dinners flavorful and comforting.
You will fall in love with the way the creamy sauce coats every strand of linguine and the succulent chicken bites. The balance of spicy, tangy, and creamy elements comes together beautifully to create a fulfilling meal with the rustic goodness of Cajun cuisine.
Ingredients
For The Chicken and Pasta
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For The Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ⅔ cup diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
For The Garnish
-
Fresh parsley, finely chopped
How to Create Your Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Cook Pasta
Cook linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
Step 2: Cook Chicken
Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (reserve the rest for the sauce). Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare Sauce Base
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in diced tomatoes, paprika, remaining Cajun seasoning, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 3 minutes.
Step 4: Add Cream and Cheese
Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add grated Parmesan and stir until sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Return chicken to the skillet and add cooked linguine. Toss gently to coat pasta and chicken evenly in the creamy sauce. Warm through, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
My Best Tips for Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Even Chicken Pieces
Cut chicken into uniform sizes for even cooking.
Use Quality Cajun Seasoning
Adjust seasoning amount depending on brand and your spice tolerance.
Melt Cheese Slowly
Add Parmesan gradually while stirring to prevent clumping.
Reserve Pasta Water
Add small amounts of reserved pasta water if sauce needs thinning.
Fresh Herbs
Finish with fresh parsley for brightness and color contrast.
Delicious Variations to Try
Add Vegetables
Toss in sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
Use Different Pasta
Fettuccine or penne work beautifully as alternatives to linguine.
Lighter Sauce
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter dish.
Add Heat
Sprinkle red pepper flakes or cayenne powder for extra spice.
Swap Chicken
Use shrimp or sausage to change up protein options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, prepare chicken and sauce in advance and reheat gently. Cook pasta fresh before serving.
What degree of heat does the Cajun seasoning add?
Spiciness varies with brand, adjust quantity accordingly.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Freeze sauce and chicken separately from pasta for best texture preservation.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and check seasoning blends for gluten content.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, add fresh herbs towards the end of cooking for best flavor.
How do I thicken the sauce if needed?
Simmer sauce longer or add a cornstarch slurry to desired thickness.
Print
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Comforting dish featuring tender chicken in bold Cajun spiced cream sauce over silky linguine, with paprika, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan for deep flavor.
Ingredients
Chicken & Pasta
8 oz linguine pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided
Sauce
3 tbsp butter
2 tsp minced garlic
2/3 cup diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Cook pasta: Boil linguine in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserve some pasta water.
Cook chicken: Toss chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil; cook chicken 6-8 minutes.
Make sauce base: Melt butter; sauté garlic 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, remaining Cajun seasoning, paprika, and Italian seasoning; cook 3 minutes.
Add cream & cheese: Lower heat; add cream and Parmesan. Stir until melted and sauce thickens 3-4 minutes; season.
Combine: Add chicken and pasta to skillet; toss to coat. Add pasta water if needed.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve warm.
Notes
Use high-quality Cajun seasoning for balanced flavor.
Add bell peppers or spinach for color/texture.
Stir cheese off heat to avoid curdling.
Reheat leftovers gently with milk or broth.
Freeze sauce separately for later.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg
Keywords: creamy cajun chicken pasta, spicy cajun chicken pasta, garlic parmesan pasta, cajun cream sauce, easy chicken linguine recipe
