It’s been a while since I’ve prepared a one-pot pasta! This weekend, I craved a smoky, creamy, spicy, smoky, and easy one-pot meal, so I got to make it! The One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is extremely simple to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight meals. I’ve got several variations below (spicy and non-spicy, as well as creamy and non-creamy). Make sure you follow along! 🙂
Go through my One Pot Recipe archives to find more one-pot deliciousness!
ADJUST THE HEAT
This pasta is smoky. But you can reduce the intensity by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper in the Cajun seasoning. You could cut it in half to get some spice or remove the cayenne altogether if you are extremely sensitive to spicy foods; it makes me miserable, yet I know. Sometimes, your brain and your body do not have the same goals. 🙂
MAKE IT CREAMY (OR NOT)
If you can’t use cream cheese, substitute it with thick cream or even half-and-half. I’d recommend using 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half, which is about 1/2 cup. OR If you don’t like it creamy, you can use half-and-half or no cream at all. This pasta was delicious even before adding the cream cheese. However, the creaminess balances the acidity and heat very well.
MAKE IT “EXTRA”
If you’d like this pasta to go high-end, try adding bacon cooked to it or even a dusting of Parmesan cheese. This extra umami flavor will make the Cajun Chicken Pasta over the top! As a substitute or in addition, you could include shrimp.
INGREDIENTS
Cajun Seasoning
2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.20)
1 tsp oregano ($0.10)
1 tsp Thyme ($0.10)
1/2 1 teaspoon ground garlic ($0.05)
1/2 1 teaspoon onion powder ($0.05)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ($0.03)
1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.02)
1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
Chicken Pasta
1TBSp olive oil ($0.16)
1 TBSP butter ($0.13)
One lb. skinless, boneless, and skinless poultry breast ($5.47)
One onion yellow, cut into pieces ($0.32)
1/2 lb. penne pasta (uncooked) ($0.75)
15 oz. diced tomatoes that have been roasted in the fire ($1.00)
2 cups chicken broth ($0.26)
2 oz. cream cheese ($0.50)
Three green onions cut ($0.25)
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix the ingredients for Cajun seasoning ingredients in a small dish bowl. Slice the chicken in 1/2 – to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl, then pour the Cajun seasoning over it and mix until the meat is coated with spice.
Add the butter and olive oil to the large, deep skillet. Warm the butter and oil on medium-high until the pan is highly heated, and then the butter is bubbling and foamy. Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and let it cook for about a couple of minutes on each side or until the exterior takes on some color. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked entirely at this point.
The diced onion into the skillet, and then cook for around 2 minutes, or until the onion melts. Allow the moisture of the onion to disintegrate any brown bits that have accumulated on the pan’s surface.
Then add the pasta, diced tomatoes roasted in the fire (with their juices), and Chicken broth into the pan. Stir until everything is well combined, then put the lid on top and let the broth get to a point of boiling.
When the water is boiling, lower the heat to a simmering level and allow the pasta to simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring it every few minutes until the pasta becomes cooked and the liquid becomes thick and bubbly.
The cream cheese should be added to the skillet in small pieces and stir until it is melted in the sauce. Add sliced green onions, and serve.