Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Crispy pan-seared Parmesan chicken tops tender pasta that’s tossed in a creamy Cajun sauce and a variety of bell peppers, onions, and garlic for a family dinner recipe everyone adores! If you’re familiar with the Chili’s Restaurant version of Cajun Chicken Pasta, my recipe may look familiar. But I can promise you one thing – this homemade copycat recipe is definitely better than the restaurant when it comes to comparing chicken and pasta dishes. The juicy chicken that’s lightly breaded with Parmesan and then the Cajun cream sauce are out of this world! If you’ve never tried the restaurant version, take my word for it and make it at home. I promise your family is going to want this restaurant copycat recipe on your regular dinnertime rotation. Although there are three distinct stages to the recipe including cooking the chicken, cooking the pasta and vegetables, and making the creamy alfredo-like Cajun sauce, I assure you this comfort food dinner recipe is easy to follow. Also, you can get it all together in under an hour, making it very doable even on busy weeknights.
Ingredients in Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This Chili’s Restaurant copycat recipe comes together with a variety of easy-to-find, fridge, and pantry ingredients, many of which you likely already have on hand including the following: Parmesan Chicken
All-purpose flour Cajun seasoning – If you don’t have Cajun Seasoning, Old Bay is a good alternative Eggs Bread crumbs Parmesan cheese Olive oil Chicken breasts – Before adding the chicken to the pasta, slice or dice it into bite-sized pieces for easier enjoyment of the star protein in this dish and a better distribution over all of the chicken among the pasta
Pasta with Vegetables
Dry pasta Olive oil Bell peppers – Feel free to use any combination of colors, or exclusively one or two types. Go with what you have on hand and what is the best deal at your local market White or yellow onion Mushrooms Garlic
Cajun Cream Sauce
Unsalted butter All-purpose flour Store-bought Cajun seasoning or homemade Cajun seasoning Salt Black pepper Reduced sodium chicken broth Heavy whipping cream – If you want to use half-and-half, that’s fine. Do not, however, use any milk products with a lower fat percentage such as whole or 2% milk, because your sauce will be too thin and will have a tendency to “break” due to lack of fat, making it unsightly and you’ll need to start over Parmesan cheese – I recommend a high-quality, freshly grated Parmesan and nothing from a green can Fresh parsley, optional for garnishing Green onions, optional for garnishing
Tip: Scroll to the recipe card section for a more complete list of ingredients with amounts and directions included.
How to Make Chili’s Copycat Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
You’ll love how easy to follow this foolproof Cajun chicken alfredo pasta pasta recipe is to make! Here’s an overview of how it’s done: Step 1: Dredge the chicken in flour then egg wash followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Then, cook the pieces in batches in a large skilet over medium-high heat, and set aside. Step 2: Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside. Step 3: In the same skillet used to cook the chicken, add the olive oil, bell pepper, and mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes before adding garlic. Sauté momentarily, and transfer the veggies to a plate. Step Four: Melt the butter in a large skillet, and whisk in the flour. Add the seasonings and broth, and whisk to thicken. Whisk in the heavy cream then the parmesan. Make sure to stop and taste the sauce. If it needs more salt, pepper, or you want additional Cajun flavor, make any necessary seasoning adjustments. Step Five: Toss the vegetables and pasta in the cream sauce. Top the mixture with the cooked, sliced chicken, and garnish as desired. I know the Chili’s version tends to garnish with diced tomatoes.
More Chicken Pasta Recipes:
Parmesan Chicken and Spinach Pasta – EASY and ready in 20 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, a hint of lemon, and the PERFECT amount of Parmesan! Great for busy weeknights and the extra is good for meal prepping! Don’t be surprised if your leftover pasta looks a little bit drier than it was when it was freshly made. That’s because pasta tends to continue soaking up whatever sauce or liquid is in its presence as it sits in the fridge. It’ll still taste almost the exact same – perhaps just a touch drier – but still fantastic. Feel free to reheat it right in the microwave. I recommend zapping it in 30-second intervals, stirring every time it stops, until warmed all the way through. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Pesto Parmesan Chicken and Pasta – EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and every piece of tender chicken and pasta is coated in fresh pesto sauce and parmesan cheese! Great for easy weeknight dinners, planned leftovers, or for parties because it feeds a crowd! Lemon Pepper Chicken Pasta — EASY and ready in 15 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, and there is so much ZESTY flavor from the lemon, basil, and spinach! A family favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights! Asiago Chicken and Pasta – EASY comfort food to feed a crowd that’s ready in 25 minutes! Tender chicken and penne pasta with red peppers, green beans, and everything is coated with Asiago CHEESE for the family dinner win! Honey Lemon Chicken Pasta – Ready in 20 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal! Pair with a simple salad or veggies and extra lemon wedges to amp up the lemon flavor. Your family will love this easy pasta recipe! Skinny Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 30 minutes, feeds a crowd, and is on the SKINNY side! Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and the pasta are tossed in a light and tangy homemade Italian lemon vinaigrette!
