Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Creamy, smoky, and ready in 30 minutes! This one skillet Cajun Chicken Pasta combines tender spiced chicken and al dente pasta in a rich, cheesy Alfredo style sauce for the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces farfalle pasta or penne, fettuccine
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning more or less to taste
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into small pieces
- 1 cup milk whole or 2%
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt more to taste
- Optional: 2 cups fresh vegetables like bell peppers spinach, or mushrooms
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chicken pieces in a single layer. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is mostly cooked through.
- Reduce heat to medium low. Add milk and cubed cream cheese. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until cream cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt to the skillet. Stir until everything is combined, heated through, and coated in the creamy sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For added vegetables: sauté diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions in the skillet for 3-4 minutes before adding the garlic. For greens like spinach, stir in at the end until wilted.