One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Magic 35 Min

Name: One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Magic 35 Min
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces; 2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups low sodium chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 12 ounces penne pasta; 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

By anna Boncoeur On November 7, 2025

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If you’re anything like me, you love big, bold flavor but hate doing a mountain of dishes afterward. That’s why I’m absolutely thrilled to share my recipe for One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta! I’m Anna, and as a passionate food lover, my goal is always to share simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make everyday cooking easier and way more joyful. This dish packs that signature New Orleans heat and creaminess, yet it’s ready in about 35 minutes using just one skillet. Seriously, this is weeknight dinner magic!

Why This One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe Works So Well

This recipe is built for speed and flavor, which is exactly what busy home cooks need. You get incredible results without the cleanup fuss. Trust me on this one!

It’s truly a 35-minute meal from start to finish.
Everything cooks in one large skillet—less scrubbing!
The homemade spice blend delivers that authentic, smoky Cajun punch.
It’s creamy, hearty, and satisfying every single time.

Gathering Your Ingredients for One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Don’t sweat the ingredient list; it looks long, but most of it is just spices we mix up first! We’re aiming for six hearty servings here, so make sure you have enough chicken breasts ready to go. Having everything measured out before you even turn on the stove makes the cooking process fly by. Accuracy in spices is key to hitting that perfect Cajun note.

Essential Components for Creamy Cajun Flavor

For this amazing One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta, you need to prep your chicken right away. Cut 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Then, make your spice rub! It’s paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and just a little cayenne for that kick. The vegetables are simple: sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and three cloves of fresh minced garlic. For the liquid base, we use two cups of low-sodium broth and one cup of heavy cream. Finally, grab 12 ounces of penne pasta—it holds the sauce beautifully—and don’t forget the Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for finishing!

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Setting Up Your Kitchen for One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Success

Before we dive into the sizzling, we need the right gear. Since this is a one-pot wonder, the size of your pan matters a lot! Having everything ready means you won’t be scrambling while the chicken cooks.

Required Tools for One Pot Cooking

A large, deep skillet or Dutch oven—it needs high sides!
A small bowl for mixing up those incredible Cajun spices.
Measuring cups and spoons for accuracy.
A slotted spoon or spatula for moving the chicken.
A sharp knife for slicing the peppers and onions.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Okay, put on your apron! This is where the action happens. Since we are doing this all in one pot, timing is everything, but don’t panic—it moves fast. We want maximum flavor development without overcooking anything.

Seasoning and Searing the Chicken

First things first: mix up your spice blend! Combine that paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl. Toss your 1-inch chicken pieces in that mix until every piece is coated—don’t be shy with the seasoning! Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer—you might need to do this in batches so you don’t crowd the pan, which stops it from browning properly. Cook for about four to five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. Pull that beautifully browned chicken out onto a plate and set it aside for later.

Building the Flavor Base in One Pan

Keep that heat going! Right into the same pot, toss in your sliced red and green bell peppers and the onion. Let them cook for about four or five minutes until they start getting soft around the edges. This is crucial for sweetness! Now, stir in your three cloves of minced garlic. You only want to cook the garlic for about 30 seconds until you can really smell it—if it burns, the whole dish tastes bitter, so watch it closely!

Simmering the Pasta and Creating the Sauce

Time for the liquids! Pour in your two cups of low-sodium chicken broth and one cup of heavy cream. Stir everything up, scraping up any tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom—that’s pure flavor gold. Bring this mixture up to a gentle boil. Now, stir in all 12 ounces of your uncooked penne pasta. Make sure most of the pasta is submerged. Reduce the heat down to medium-low, slap a lid on it, and let it simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. You must stir it every few minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom while the sauce thickens up beautifully.

Finishing Your One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Once the pasta is tender and the sauce looks nice and thick, it’s time to bring the star back! Return that cooked chicken to the pot and stir it all together. Let it simmer uncovered for just two or three minutes so the chicken heats all the way through. Turn the heat off! Stir in that half cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely into a glorious, creamy sauce. Finish it off with two tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley sprinkled over the top. Dinner is served!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

I always get questions about dialing in the spice level or swapping out pantry staples, so let’s talk about keeping that authentic Cajun profile while making this One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta work for your family. Remember, the better the ingredients, the better the final creamy sauce!

Adjusting Spice Levels

That little bit of cayenne pepper is what brings the heat, but you are totally in charge! If you like it mild, cut the cayenne down to just a tiny pinch or skip it altogether. If you want to really feel the fire, add another quarter teaspoon, or use a dash of your favorite Cajun hot sauce when you add the broth. Taste as you go during the simmering stage, always!

Pasta and Cream Options

Penne is my favorite because those ridges grab the sauce, but if you don’t have it, rigatoni or rotini work just as well—just make sure it’s a short pasta shape! If you are out of heavy cream, you can try using half-and-half, but you might need to add less chicken broth initially, or the sauce could thin out too much. Another option is sour cream, but stir that in off the heat at the very end so it doesn’t curdle.

Troubleshooting and Tips for Perfect One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Even the best one-pot meals can sometimes surprise you! The main thing to watch out for with this One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta is the sauce consistency. Pasta soaks up a lot of liquid while it simmers, so sometimes it looks great right off the heat but then gets super thick while you wait for everyone to sit down.

If your sauce seems too thick after it finishes simmering, don’t worry! Just stir in a splash of warm chicken broth—a tablespoon at a time—until it loosens up to that perfect creamy texture you want. If it seems too thin, just let it simmer uncovered for an extra minute or two to allow more liquid to evaporate.

Storing and Reheating Leftover One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

This One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta tastes amazing the next day, too! You just need to remember that pasta absorbs sauce as it chills, so we need to add a little moisture back in when we reheat it.

Storage Guidelines

Storage Item	Details
Container	Airtight container
Duration	Up to 3 days in the refrigerator

Warming Up Your Leftovers

When you are ready for seconds, put the pasta in a microwave-safe bowl. Add just a small splash of warm chicken broth or even water before heating. This brings back that nice creamy texture without drying out the chicken or pasta.

Understanding the Nutrition in This Recipe

I always like to give you a rough idea of what’s in this delicious One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta, especially since we used low-sodium broth to keep things reasonable. Remember, these numbers are estimates for six servings, and they change based on exactly what brand of heavy cream you use!

Nutrient	Estimate Per Serving
Calories	610
Protein	40 grams
Fat	28 grams
Carbohydrates	52 grams

This is a hearty meal! It gives you great protein from the chicken and a good amount of energy from the pasta. If you want more easy chicken recipes, check out my creamy white chicken chili for another comforting option.

Share Your One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Experience

I truly hope this flavorful One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta makes your weeknights easier! Go ahead and give it a try, and then come right back here. Let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can also see more of my recipe ideas on Pinterest. For another quick skillet meal, try my one skillet fiesta chicken and rice.