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This Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy and tasty dinner! It’s similar to my Instant Pot Cajun Sausage Pasta, but obviously made on the stove top! I love this creamy and flavorful pasta. Chock full of chicken, smoked sausage, peppers and spice, you too will turn this into a weekly special.
But First, What Flavor is Cajun Exactly?
Cajun seasoning is a bold and spicy combination of paprika and cayenne pepper, with subtle flavors of garlic, onion and herbs. I suggest choosing a brand you typically like for spices, and run with it. Some are more spicy than others. You can also make your own cajun seasoning. You can adjust the heat by adding more cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. This recipe relies heavily on the cajun seasoning to be the main flavoring agent, so be sure to pick a good one. I really like the McCormick Cajun Seasoning and use it frequently.
Keep in mind that most Cajun Seasonings DO NOT INCLUDE SALT. So, be sure to season as you go.
How To Make Cajun Chicken Pasta
I tell ya, this recipe is really simple to throw together. Cook the pasta to al dente, brown the chicken, and then the sausage and veggies. Add the chicken back to the pan and add a jar of alfredo sauce. Toss to coat and then add in the pasta. For full recipe details, see the printable recipe card down below.
Cook Pasta + Set Aside
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente and set aside. Be sure to reserve some pasta cooking water for later.
Cook Chicken, Sausage + Veggies
While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large, nonstick skillet. Sprinkle chicken with salt and 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, or more if desired. Brown chicken in pan and cook thoroughly. Once chicken is cooked, remove from pan and cover with foil. Add in onion, peppers, smoked sausage and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning. Cook until the veggies are mostly tender and sausage has browned.
Combine Cooked Chicken + Alfredo Sauce
Stir to coat and heat sauce through. Taste and add more cajun seasoning and/or salt and pepper if needed. Toss with pasta and add in a few splashes of reserved pasta water if needed. Divide between plates, then top with sliced cajun chicken, diced tomatoes and parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Storing Leftover Cajun Chicken Pasta
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Any longer than that, the pasta and chicken starts to dry out. To reheat, add a splash of water to the pasta and microwave until hot.
I do not recommend making this ahead and then freezing. Pastas with alfredo bases generally do not freeze well.
Love Cajun Chicken Pasta? Give These Pasta Recipes a Try…
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Pasta Primavera
- Baked Rigatoni Pasta
- Smoked Sausage Pasta
- Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Spicy Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Anyway, I hope you love this recipe. It’s so simple to throw together, but packs a big flavorful punch! Have a great day, friends! 🙂
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound pasta
- 1/2 cup cooking liquid from the pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning divided; use one you like! The spice level can vary.
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 1 bell pepper julienned; I used half red, half green
- 14 oz smoked sausage cut into bite sized pieces
- 15 oz alfredo sauce I used Trader Joes brand
- 1 roma tomato diced
- parsley optional
Instructions
- Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente and set aside. Be sure to reserve some pasta cooking water for later.
- While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large, nonstick skillet. Sprinkle chicken with salt and 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning, or more if desired. *Check your cajun seasoning to see if salt has been added. More often then not, you will have to add your own salt.Brown chicken in pan and cook thoroughly, until it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Once chicken is cooked, remove from pan and cover with foil. Add in onion, peppers, smoked sausage and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning to the hot pan. Cook until the veggies are mostly tender and sausage has browned.
- Add jar of alfredo sauce. Stir to coat and heat sauce through. Taste and add more cajun seasoning and/or salt and pepper if needed. Toss with pasta and reserved pasta water, if needed. Divide between plates, top with cooked chicken, then top with diced tomatoes and parsley. Serve.
So good! Added zucchini and mushroom because I had them, and used spicy smoked turkey sausage