Easy Cajun Pasta Skillet
This Easy Cajun Pasta Skillet turns chopped chicken and a box pasta into a creamy one skillet dinner. The chicken and vegetables cook in the same pan, then a quick sauce of chicken broth, cream cheese and sour cream brings everything together. Serve it straight from the skillet with garlic bread and a shake of extra Cajun seasoning on the side for anyone who wants more heat.
It depends on the Cajun seasoning you use. For a milder pasta, start with less seasoning in the sauce and add more after tasting. You can also choose a mild Cajun seasoning blend.
Yes. Bowtie pasta works well, but penne, rotini, rigatoni, or another short pasta can be used instead. Cook the pasta according to the package directions before adding it to the sauce.
Add chicken broth or milk a little at a time until the sauce reaches the consistency you like. Keep in mind that the pasta will soak up some of the sauce as it sits.
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Yes. You can swap the chicken for shrimp or sausage. Adjust the cooking time as needed for the protein you choose.
Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of milk or chicken broth if the sauce has become too thick.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Cajun seasoning: Seasons both the chicken and creamy sauce. You can adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like your pasta.
- Pasta: I used bowtie (farfalle) pasta, but another short pasta shape will work too.
- Onion: Adds flavor to the chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Celery: Gives the dish some texture and is a classic match for Cajun-inspired flavors.
- Bell pepper: Use your favorite sweet bell pepper.
- Cream cheese: Makes the sauce thick and creamy. The recipe uses 4-8 ounces, depending on how creamy you want the sauce.
- Sour cream: Adds creaminess with a slight tang.
- Chicken broth: Forms the base of the sauce and helps you adjust its consistency.
- Milk: Optional, but you can add a little if you want to thin the sauce.
- Oil or butter: Used for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Salt and pepper: Season the chicken to taste.
Easy Cajun Pasta Skillet
- Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chopped chicken with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse. Set aside. Add the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet, adding more oil as needed.
- Cook for about 6 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the vegetables are tender. Transfer the vegetables to a clean bowl.
- Wipe out the skillet and add the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the sour cream and cream cheese. Continue stirring as the cream cheese melts. Add additional broth or milk as needed until the sauce is smooth and coats the back of a spoon.
- Season the sauce with the remaining Cajun seasoning, adjusting to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir until coated in the sauce.
- Return the chicken and vegetables to the skillet and stir until everything is coated and heated through.
Easy Cajun Chicken Pasta Skillet
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil or butter
- 2 cups chicken chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 3.5 cups dry pasta such as bowtie/farfalle
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 sweet bell pepper diced
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened, as desired
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk as desired, optional
- 1.5 cups chicken broth as needed
Instructions
- Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chopped chicken with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse. Set aside. Add the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet, adding more oil if needed.
- Cook for about 6 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the vegetables are tender. Transfer vegetables to a bowl.
- Wipe out the skillet and add the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the sour cream and cream cheese. Continue stirring as the cream cheese melts. Add additional broth or milk as needed until the sauce is smooth and coats the back of a spoon.
- Season the sauce with the remaining Cajun seasoning, adjusting to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir until coated in the sauce.
- Return the chicken and vegetables to the skillet and stir until everything is coated and heated through.
Notes
What to Serve With Easy Cajun Pasta Skillet
– Garlic bread. There is always sauce left in the bowl and something has to get it.– A green salad.
– Roasted broccoli or green beans. Roast them while the chicken cooks and everything finishes at the same time.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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