Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

I tried a new recipe earlier this month. Like the Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta I prepared for the first time last month, this recipe is one that my husband came across and thought sounded good.

I’m so glad we gave it a try because it was delicious! It’s a one-skillet meal, so preparation and cleanup are super easy. If you like pasta dishes and dishes that have a little spice, then you don’t want to miss this one!

Ingredients

(Adapted from this recipe.)

For the Cajun seasoning

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the chicken pasta

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• ½ lb. penne pasta
• 1 can (15 oz.) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 oz. cream cheese, softened

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning. Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes, then coat in the Cajun seasoning.

In a Dutch oven or high-walled skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for a couple minutes on each side (the chicken does not need to be thoroughly cooked at this point).

Add the onion and continue to sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften. Next, add the pasta, the fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices), and the chicken broth. Stir until just combined, then cover with a lid and allow the broth to come to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the liquid is thick and saucy.

Add the cream cheese in chunks, then stir until it has melted into the sauce. Yield: 4 servings.

Click here to view the recipe’s nutrition facts and a printable version of it.

Notes

The flavor of this dish is fantastic! I will warn you that it is a little spicy. It wasn’t so spicy that I didn’t like it (I’m not a fan of spicy foods); however, it was spicy enough that my young kids didn’t like it. The cream cheese added a little richness and gave it a nice creamy texture, but the pasta was much lighter than dishes that get their creaminess from ingredients like heavy cream.

We enjoyed this so much that I will definitely make it again and I won’t make any changes to the recipe when I do. It was perfect as it was! I may try to make a less spicy version alongside it for my kids, but my husband and I both loved this dish exactly how I prepared it.

Have you tried any dishes lately that your family enjoyed? If so, I’d love to hear about them!

Shared at the following:

Encouraging Hearts and Home, Busy Monday, What’s for Dinner? Link Up, and Weekend Potluck.