Is it just me, or does the phrase “family dinner” sometimes feel like a battle plan? You’re trying to get a decent meal on the table, and you’ve got one kid who won’t touch anything green, another who thinks “spicy” is ketchup, and a partner who just wants something comforting after a long day. I’ve been there more times than I can count.
That’s exactly why our new favorite, this Cajun Chicken Creamy Pasta, was such a game-changer. It sounds fancy, but I promise it’s just simple, real food tossed together in one pan. The magic is in how you can tweak it for everyone at the table. I’m talking creamy, cozy pasta with juicy chicken and sweet bell peppers, all wrapped up in a sauce that can be as mild or as bold as you like. If you love the convenience of a slow cooker, you must try our Crock Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta for a truly hands-off version. Let me show you how it works for our crazy crew.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: American Fusion
- Category: Main Course
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!
I know the “Cajun” part might make you nervous. But here’s the secret: you are in total control of the spice level. The creamy sauce mellows everything out beautifully.
My kids go for it because the pasta is familiar and comforting. The chicken is tender and not scary. The bell peppers get sweet and soft when cooked. And if someone is really hesitant? You can easily serve their portion with just a little sauce, or even keep the sauce separate. It’s all about options, not ultimatums.
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
Nothing weird or hard-to-find here! This is a pantry-and-fridge raid kind of meal. If you don’t have an ingredient, you can almost always swap it.
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2-3 tbsp of your favorite Cajun seasoning (check the salt content!)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers (I use red and yellow for sweetness), sliced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter option
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 12 oz pasta of choice (penne, fettuccine, or bow ties work great)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This
Getting little hands involved is my best trick for getting them excited to eat. It builds ownership! For this recipe, there are perfect, safe jobs.
Younger kids can help measure the Cajun seasoning and sprinkle it over the chicken (with supervision!). They can also toss the dried pasta into the boiling water with a long spoon. Older kids can be in charge of stirring the creamy sauce as it simmers or grating the Parmesan cheese. It makes dinner feel like a team effort.
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Don’t let the steps fool you—this comes together so fast. I often start the pasta water when I begin prepping the chicken, so everything is ready at once.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for your pasta. Cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the water heats, place chicken pieces in a bowl. Toss with 1.5 tablespoons of the Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring once or twice, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken to a clean plate.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and bell peppers. Cook for 5-6 minutes until they start to soften and get a little color.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. For another fantastic creamy chicken dish, our Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the ultimate comfort food.
- Add the cooked, drained pasta and the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top!
Fun Twists for Different Tastes
The beauty of this dish is its flexibility. Here’s how we customize it on the fly.
Cajun Chicken Creamy Pasta Recipe
Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List
The Full Step-by-Step Instructions
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Cajun Chicken Creamy Pasta Recipe!
Nutrition Information
For sensitive palates, I set aside a plain portion of chicken and pasta before adding the final dose of Cajun seasoning to the sauce. They get the creamy Parmesan sauce without the kick. For my spice lovers, I add a pinch of red pepper flakes to their bowls. You can also stir in some frozen peas or spinach at the end for extra veggies, or crumble cooked bacon on top for a smoky twist the adults will adore.
Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)
This makes fantastic leftovers for lunch or a super-quick second dinner. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat it gently in a skillet on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to bring the sauce back to life. The microwave works too—just cover it and use a lower power setting, stirring often. The pasta will soak up the sauce, so that extra liquid is key.
Nutrition Notes
While I’m not a dietitian, I always like to have a general idea of what we’re eating. This is a balanced, hearty meal.
- Protein-Packed: The chicken breast provides lean protein to keep everyone full.
- Veggies Inside: The bell peppers and onions add vitamin C and fiber.
- Customizable Fat: Using half-and-half instead of heavy cream is an easy swap.
- Watch the Salt: Since Cajun seasoning and broth contain salt, I always use low-sodium versions and let people add more at the table if needed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My Cajun seasoning is very salty. What should I do?
This is so common! First, always use a low-sodium chicken broth. Second, only use about half the seasoning to coat the chicken initially. Then, you can add the rest little by little to the sauce at the end, tasting as you go. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
Can I use a different protein?
Absolutely! This method works great with shrimp (add them at the very end, they cook in minutes), sliced sausage, or even cubed tofu for a vegetarian version. Just adjust the cooking time for your protein of choice.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
No problem! Half-and-half works well, though the sauce will be a bit thinner. For a dairy-free option, full-fat canned coconut milk is a surprisingly good substitute and adds a subtle sweetness.
So there you have it—our weeknight hero meal that somehow pleases the picky, the adventurous, and the just-plain-hungry. It’s become my go-to when I need a win in the kitchen without a huge fuss. The sizzle of the chicken, the smell of those peppers cooking down, and the sight of everyone cleaning their plates? That’s my kind of dinner victory. If you’re looking for another simple yet delicious chicken dinner, you’ll love our easy recipe for Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts.
I truly hope this recipe brings a little peace and a lot of flavor to your family table. I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Please leave a comment and rating below!
