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One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor! Juicy chicken, smoky peppers, and penne come together in one pot for an easy weeknight win!
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One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor! Juicy chicken, smoky peppers, and penne come together in one pot for an easy weeknight win!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword Cajun Chicken Pasta, One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil divided
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 14.5 oz cans low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream divided
  • 12 oz. penne pasta
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp cajun seasoning
  • 1 medium red bell pepper sliced into strips, around 2-inches long
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper sliced into strips, around 2-inches long
  • 1 small 5 - 6 oz red onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tabelspoon water
  • 3/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  • While that warms up, toss your chicken with ½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to give it a flavorful kick.
  • Add the chicken to the pot in a single layer—don’t overcrowd it! Let it cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes so it gets nicely browned on the bottom.
  • Flip and cook for another 3 minutes until it’s cooked through. Once done, move the chicken to a piece of foil and wrap it up to keep it warm and juicy.
  • In the same pot, pour in the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Add the bell peppers and onion, and sauté for 3 minutes until they start to soften.
  • Stir in the garlic and the rest of the Cajun seasoning (1 tablespoon), and cook for just 1 more minute to wake up all those spicy, garlicky flavors.
  • Now it’s time to build the sauce! Pour in the chicken broth, canned tomatoes, and ½ cup of heavy cream. Bring it all to a gentle boil, then stir in the pasta.
  • Let the pasta cook, stirring often so nothing sticks, for about 12–13 minutes until it's almost done.
  • Stir in the cornstarch mixed with a little water to help thicken things up, and cook for 1 more minute—just until the pasta is perfectly tender and the sauce is nice and creamy.
  • Take the pot off the heat. Stir in the remaining ¼ cup of cream, the grated parmesan, chopped parsley, and that delicious cooked chicken.
  • Give it a taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  • Serve it up warm and enjoy every bite!