Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This well-loved creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe with sautéed chicken, peppers, and a thin, spicy cream sauce is perfect for special meals – and was inspired by Ree Drummund from The Pioneer Woman show!
I’ll admit, this pasta recipe is one of the more complicated recipes I’ve tried – and hands down my favorite pasta recipe EVER!
Alongside my wooden recipe box filled with handwritten cards that tell their story through stains, smudges, and worn edges, I keep a humble recipe binder. It’s full of printed recipes—three-hole punched and snapped into place—that I’ve collected over the years. Just like the dirtiest recipe cards are the most loved, the most worn pages in that binder tell the same kinds of stories.
One of those pages is this creamy Cajun chicken pasta.
The date stamp at the top shows I printed it more than a decade ago, after watching it made on Ree Drummond’s “The Pioneer Woman” television show. I remember the very first time I cooked it and declaring it my favorite pasta recipe of all. I don’t claim that it’s quick & easy—but it’s so full of flavorful, comforting, and absolutely worth the time.
This is a stand-at-the-stove recipe. The sauce is creamy and spicy but thinner than most pasta sauces, and it doesn’t cling heavily to the noodles. We love it just the same. It makes a generous batch, and when I recently made it for Valentine’s Day, my husband & I happily enjoyed leftovers for days.
This is the kind of meal I save for slow evenings and special dinners.
Ingredients you’ll need for Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Cut into bite-size pieces for even cooking
- Cajun seasoning – Adds warmth and spice; adjust to taste (We like a LOT!)
- Fettuccine noodles – A sturdy pasta that holds up to the creamy sauce
- Olive oil – For sautéing and building flavor
- Butter – Adds richness to the sauce base
- Green bell pepper – Fresh crunch and mild sweetness
- Red bell pepper – Adds color and a slightly sweeter flavor
- Red onion – Brings depth and balance to the sauce
- Garlic – A savory backbone for the dish
- Roma tomatoes – Added at the end for freshness and texture
- Chicken broth – Forms the base of the sauce
- White wine – Adds depth and brightness (or substitute more broth)
- Heavy cream – Creates the creamy sauce
- Cayenne pepper – For extra heat, to taste
- Salt and black pepper – To season throughout
I remember watching Ree make this in a cast iron pan and it made me want to get one. I recommend using that type of pan if you have one. It makes the meat brown so nice and the flavors are amazing!
Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta (inspired by Ree Drummond on the Pioneer Woman)
This creamy Cajun chicken pasta is rich, spicy, and full of flavor. A comforting, made-from-scratch pasta recipe for slow, cozy dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided (plus more to taste)
- 1 pound dried fettuccine noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 green bell pepper, diced and seeded
- 1 red bell pepper, diced and seeded
- ½ large red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup white wine (or additional chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add a drizzle of olive oil, then cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sprinkle the cubed chicken with half of the Cajun seasoning and toss to coat.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer and let it brown without stirring. Once you see it is starting to cook around the edges, flip it over and cook until fully cooked through. Remove chicken to a clean platter. You may find you need to cook the chicken in two single layer batches.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Add the green pepper, red pepper, and red onion. Season with salt, black pepper, and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Sauté for several minutes until starting to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for about 30 seconds, just until warmed. Remove vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
- While the skillet is still hot, pour in the white wine and chicken broth, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and additional cayenne if desired.
- Return the chicken and vegetables to the skillet, along with any juices from the chicken. Stir and heat until everything is warmed through.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked fettuccine and toss gently to combine.
- Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 485Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1168mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 25g
What to Serve With Cajun Chicken Pasta
This creamy Cajun chicken pasta is hearty enough to stand on its own, and we often enjoy it just on its own. That said, if you’d like to round out the meal, simple sides work best.
- Sourdough bread with butter – Perfect for soaking up the extra sauce.
- Garlic toast or garlic bread – Adds a little crunch and extra comfort.
- A simple green salad – Something light with a basic vinaigrette balances the richness of the pasta.
- Steamed or roasted vegetables – Broccoli or green beans are easy options if you want something extra on the plate.
This is one of those meals where less is more. A small side is plenty.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
This recipe makes a generous amount (it serves 4-6), and the leftovers are amazing if you’re lucky to have any!
- Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat gently in the microwave, stirring partway through to warm evenly.
- If the sauce thickens after chilling, add a small splash of milk or broth before reheating to loosen it up.
We’ve happily eaten this for several days after making it, and it’s just as comforting the second (and third) time around.
For more pasta recipes:
- This easy freeze ahead lasagna is a family favorite
- Tortellini & sausage bake is layered comfort food at its best!
- Skillet sausage & noodles with cream gravy was taught to me by my mother-in-law!
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I love Ree and will have to try Cajun Chicken…looks amazing!!
It looks delicious! Added to my To try recipes. Thank you