Description
Ready for a one-pan dinner that tastes like a restaurant favorite but comes together on a busy weeknight? This creamy Cajun chicken pasta hits all the notes—juicy seared chicken, a velvety sauce with a sweet-heat kick, and pasta that cooks right in the skillet to soak up every drop. It’s a family-friendly easy recipe that doubles as a crowd-pleasing dinner idea. Whether you’re hunting for quick weeknight meals, one-pan dinners, or bold food ideas with Southern flair, this dish delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
12 oz penne pasta, uncooked
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and toss with Cajun seasoning; sear in olive oil and butter 4–5 minutes; transfer out.
2. Sauté onion and bell peppers with a pinch of salt 3–4 minutes; add garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Deglaze with chicken broth; stir in heavy cream, honey, and crushed red pepper; simmer 2–3 minutes.
4. Stir in uncooked penne; add a splash of broth/water if needed to barely submerge; simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring often.
5. Return chicken and juices; stir in Parmesan until melted; add lemon juice and parsley; season to taste.
6. Rest 2 minutes to thicken; serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Notes
For extra heat, increase crushed red pepper or add hot sauce at the end.
Swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs for even juicier results.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pan
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 27
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 130
Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, one pan pasta, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, spicy sweet, easy dinner, comfort food