This easy Cajun chicken pasta is a simple chicken pasta recipe made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, zesty seasonings, and pipe rigate pasta, in a creamy, saucy Cajun pasta sauce. It’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe the whole family will enjoy.
If you love simple, hearty recipes that are full of flavor, not work, then you’ve come to the right place, my friend. As a busy mom, I always chose recipes that would satisfy my ravenous husband and teenagers, and as a busy entrepreneur, I still do the same thing today. One of my favorite simple recipes is this easy chicken pasta dish. It only takes a pot and a skillet, and its rich, creamy, cheesy sauce absolutely smothers tender noodles, juicy chicken, and bell peppers. It also has a healthy kick of flavor and heat thanks to zesty Cajun pasta sauce and red pepper flakes. It’s a dish that satisfies even the hungriest families at dinner or big eaters at potlucks.
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This simple, hearty dish starts with bite-sized chicken breast pieces. I cook them with onions, bell peppers, and seasonings until the chicken is done and the veggies are tender. Then, I add Cajun pasta sauce and cheese and mix it all with cooked noodles. That’s all there is to it. It’s an incredibly easy dish that fills you up and blasts your tastebuds with every bite. It’s a great dinner for big families or even couples because the leftovers are so good the next day!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
- It’s packed with flavor thanks to the jarred saucy Cajun pasta sauce infused with a zesty blend of spices. The chicken breasts add a hearty protein to the dish, while the pipe rigate pasta cradles the sauce.
- It is a quick and convenient, easy dinner recipe that can be on the table in about 40 minutes.
- It’s versatile and can be customized to your family’s liking, such as adding additional vegetables, different types of pasta, and changing up the seasonings.
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredients
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe, and you’ll find them all in your kitchen and in one quick trip to the grocery store. Everything about this dish is easy, you guys!
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Butter
- Slap Ya Mama
- Paprika
- Garlic salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Onion
- Green bell pepper
- Pipe rigate pasta
- Saucy Cajun pasta sauce
- Pepper jack cheese
How to Make Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Making this dish is as easy as it gets. You just boil noodles and do a little skillet cooking. That’s it. The entire recipe only takes about 30 minutes or so from start to finish!
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
In a large pot of water, over medium-high heat, cook the pasta according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain, rinse, and return to the pot.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
Cook the chicken, onions, bell pepper, and seasonings in butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the chicken is no longer pink, and the vegetables are tender.
Step 3: Add the Sauce and Cheese
Pour the Cajun pasta sauce into the chicken mixture and stir. Then, sprinkle with the cheese, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the cheese melts.
Step 4: Finish the Dish
Pour the chicken mixture into the pot with the pasta, stir to combine, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Cook your chicken and veggies over medium heat to avoid burning the onions and bell peppers.
- Be sure you cook your noodles to al dente and no further. Otherwise, they’ll break apart as you combine them with the chicken mixture.
- Leave the cheese on top of the chicken mixture while it simmers. This is an easy way to tell you when it’s ready to be poured into the noodles. When the cheese is melted, it’s ready to go!
Variations
- For a mild version of this recipe, use regular alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese, and omit the red pepper flakes.
- For even more flavor and heat, add diced jalapenos to the chicken while cooking it.
- Try this recipe with smoked sausage, bite-sized pork chops, ground beef, or even chorizo.
What to Serve with Easy Cajun Pasta
This is a super-filling pasta dish, so I recommend keeping things light. I generally opt for a side salad with some crusty bread or garlic bread.
Recipe FAQ
Cajun pasta is a simple pasta dish made with macaroni-type noodles, chicken, onions, bell peppers, Cajun pasta sauce, and zesty seasonings.
You can. You’ll get a different texture because the chicken will be shredded, but it’s delicious!
This dish will keep for up to 3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
This dish freezes very well and will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Cajun Chicken Pasta
Refrigerate this dish in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
To reheat this pasta dish, simply place it in a saucepan or pot and cook it over medium-low heat until heated through.
Try This Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Today
This easy Cajun chicken pasta is as simple to make as it is delicious. With just a few simple steps and minimal effort, you can have a hefty, hearty meal on the table for your family or a great addition to your next potluck. With all that flavor and very little effort, this is one recipe you have to make. Once you do, I know you’ll fall in love with it. Give it a try!
More Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy
This Creamy Tortellini Bake is a delicious and hearty pasta recipe that is made with two kinds of sauce: a creamy white sauce and a meaty tomato base sauce. It’s an easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 16 ounce pipe rigate pasta
- (2) 15 ounce jars saucy Cajun pasta sauce
- 2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat and cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, rinse and return to the pan.
- In a large skillet or frying pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add chicken, seasonings, onions, and bell pepper to skillet and cook until chicken is cooked and onions and peppers are tender.
- Pour saucy Cajun pasta sauce into the chicken mixture. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle with cheese and reduce heat to low and simmer until the cheese has melted.
- Add chicken mixture into the pot with the pasta. Stir to combine and enjoy hot with a side salad and crusty bread.
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