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    Home > Pasta

    Cajun Chicken Pasta One Pot

    Published: Nov 25, 2019 · Modified: Nov 2, 2020 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Go to Video Print Recipe
    Cajun pasta one pot with a spoonful being taken

    This Super quick and easy Cajun chicken pasta one-pot is a winner for the family dinner table. Cajun spiced chicken in a creamy tomato sauce – with pasta and extra veg. Ready in 35 minutes!
    Cajun chicken pasta one pot in a blue pan with chopped cherry tomatoes

    One pot dinners - I LOVE them!

    Especially speedy pasta versions. Perfect for getting dinner on the table before the kids start having an after-school hunger meltdown!

    This AMAZING Cajun Chicken pasta one pot has piles of Cajun chicken and chorizo all cooked together in a creamy tomato sauce. I like to add plenty of veg such a spinach, peppers and fresh tomatoes too. Because, hey, who doesn't like getting one over on the kids and making them eat extra veg without even thinking about it 🙂

     

    Start by frying onions in a little oil until softened. Coat chicken pieces in Cajun seasoning, then add the chicken to the pan and fry until sealed. Add garlic and chorizo and fry for a further two minutes, then add in sliced bell peppers.

    6 image collage of initial preparation steps for one pot Cajun chicken pasta

    Next in goes dried pasta shapes (I use rigatoni), tinned tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir, bring to the boil and place a lid on the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes.
    Remove the lid and check the pasta to ensure it's done. Stir in cream, then add baby spinach. Stir until wilted. Turn off the heat and top with chopped baby tomatoes, grated cheddar and  parsley.

    6 image collage of final preparation steps for one pot Cajun chicken pasta

    Serve immediately.

    Close up image of Cajun chicken pasta with a spoonful being taken.

     

    I've got a whole category dedicated to one-pot meals. How about....

    • Creamy Chicken and Mushroom One-Pan Casserole
    • One-Pot Rigatoni Alfredo with Chicken and Kale
    • One-Pot Turkey Meatballs with Courgetti
    • Big Batch Sausage and Bean Casserole One-Pot
    • One Pot Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

    Other vegetables can add or swap:

    • Mushrooms - Add chopped large or whole baby mushrooms at the same time you add the peppers.
    • Green beans - Add roughly chopped green beans at the same time you add the peppers.
    • Kale - Remove the tough stalks and shred the kale, then add in place of the spinach or at the same time as the spinach if you want to use both.
    • Sundried tomatoes - add in at the same time as the spinach.
    • Either add chopped spring onions at the same time as the spinach, or you can sprinkle them on at the end for a bit of crunch.

    Close up of a blue pan containing Cajun chicken pasta

    Can I make a vegetarian version?

    Absolutely! Replace the chicken with tofu or quorn, or you could even roast some butternut squash or sweet potato and add that in instead (or aswell!).

    Replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

    Leave the chorizo out, or you can replace with veggie chorizo or regular vegetarian sausage. If I'm leaving the chorizo out or replacing it with vegetarian sausage, I like to add in a teaspoon of smoked paprika with the Cajun spice so I still get that hint of smoky sweetness.

    Equipment:

    In order to make this Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe you will need:

      • A good kitchen knife. I have recently bought this Dalstrong one and love it.
      • Chopping Board
      • Jug
      • Grater (if you don't use ready grated cheese)
      • Measuring Spoons
      • Garlic Press
      • A frying pan/skillet
      • Wooden or Silicon Coated Spoons. We have just bought these and love them.

    The Cajun Chicken Pasta One Pot Video:

    The Cajun Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe:

    This quick Cajun chicken one-pot is a winner for the family dinner table. Cajun spiced chicken in a creamy tomato sauce – with pasta and extra veg.

    Cajun Chicken Pasta

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    This quick Cajun chicken one-pot is a winner for the family dinner table. Cajun spiced chicken in a creamy tomato sauce – with pasta and extra veg.
    4.95 from 19 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 534 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 onion - peeled and chopped
    • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning
    • 2 chicken breasts - cut into bite-size pieces
    • 2.6 oz (75g) chorizo, cut into small chunks
    • 2 cloves garlic - peeled and minced
    • ½ red bell pepper - deseeded and sliced
    • ½ green bell pepper - deseeded and sliced
    • ½ yellow bell pepper - deseeded and sliced
    • 7 oz (200g) dried pasta shapes - (see notes for different types of pasta)
    • 14 oz (400g) tin chopped tomatoes
    • 2 cups (480ml) chicken stock
    • ⅓ cup (80ml) double (heavy) cream
    • Large handful of fresh baby spinach
    • 10 fresh cherry tomatoes - sliced in half
    • ½ cup (50g) grated cheddar cheese
    • 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Heat the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) and add the onion. Cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften.
    • Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning on the chopped chicken breast, then add to the pan with the onion. Heat for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is sealed on all sides.
    • Add in the chorizo and garlic and fry for a further two minutes, until the chorizo starts to release it’s oils, then add peppers. Stir, then add the pasta shapes, tin of tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to the boil, stir, then place a lid or some foil over the pan. Turn the heat down and let the pasta simmer for 15 minutes. Check and stir once or twice during this time.
    • After 15 minutes, remove the lid and test the pasta. It should be just cooked (if it isn’t, cook for a couple of minutes more with a splash of boiling water if needed). Stir in the cream, heat through for a minute then turn off the heat and stir in the spinach. It should wilt very quickly.
    • Sprinkle on the sliced tomatoes, grated cheese and parsley, then serve.

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    What's the best type of pasta for One-Pot Pasta?

    I use rigatoni, but any large pasta shaped will work. Spiralli, fusilli and penne are all good options.

    Can I make it gluten free?

    Yes, use gluten free pasta and gluten free stock. Also ensure your chorizo is gluten free too. It usually is, but it's always best to check.

    Can I make it ahead?

    As with most pasta recipes, this one-pot pasta tastes at its absolute best when eaten right away. However, you can make it ahead if you like. Or you can save any leftovers and reheat them the next day (it makes great lunch leftovers). If you do, then make the pasta, cool, cover and refrigerate it.
    I recommend one of two ways to reheat:
    Add a splash of water, cover and reheat in the microwave on high, until piping hot throughout.
    Or transfer to a baking dish, add a splash of water and cover with a good handful of cheese. Then cover with foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes at 180C/350F. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes.
    It's a good idea to add the splash of water, as pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it's cooling. The water will loosen things up a little when you come to reheat it. You could add a splash of stock or passata mixed with a bit of water instead if you prefer, but I find it simpler to go with a splash of water - you won't water down any of the flavours so long as you add no more than 80ml (a third of a cup) to the whole dish.
    I prefer not to reheat this one in a pan as it's difficult to get it to heat through evenly without a fair bit of stirring - and I find stirring the pasta when it's cold can cause it to break up too much.
    Nutritional information is per serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 29gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 1253mgPotassium: 940mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3270IUVitamin C: 80.4mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 3.3mg
    Keywords autumn, Family Meal, One Pot Recipes, Quick and Easy, winter
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    This recipes was first posted in June 2016, updated in November 2019 with new photos, tips and video.

    If you like the Cajun flavours in this dish then why not try my Cajun Chicken Salad with Coriander lime rice or my Cajun Chicken Noodle Salad.

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

     

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More
    « Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
    Honey Garlic Chicken »

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Catherine E. says

      March 25, 2021 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      This was really good! I did leave the cheddar cheese off though.

      Reply
    2. Kay says

      March 03, 2021 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. So tasty!
      Could this be done in a slow cooker?

      Reply
    3. Amber says

      February 05, 2021 at 10:52 pm

      Good

      Reply
    4. Jacquie says

      October 27, 2020 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Really flavourful and easy to make. I followed the recipe exactly but used gluten free fusilli pasta. This is the second recipe of Nicky’s I’ve tried and they are both winners - beef rendang is the other. I’ve only recently found this site as I was looking for inspiration and will definitely be trying some more recipes.

      Reply
      • Chris Corbishley says

        October 29, 2020 at 7:48 am

        Thanks so much Jacquie, so pleased you're enjoying the recipes.

        Thanks

        Chris & Nicky

        Reply
    5. Donna Bruce says

      September 29, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      This was a really tasty recipe, we loved it. Thank you 😀

      Reply
    6. Dave says

      July 15, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic, it a 'once a week' meal in our house now

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        July 22, 2020 at 2:55 pm

        Fantastic! Thanks Dave 🙂

        Reply
    7. Janet says

      November 26, 2019 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Nicky
      I made this last night, loved it. Easy to make. Thank you

      Reply
    8. ann mowlam says

      November 25, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      great recipe as usual, so quick and easy to make, as all of your recipes, look forward to more,

      Reply
    9. Gita Das says

      November 22, 2019 at 3:10 pm

      4 stars
      Hi Nicky!!
      I'm thinking that Your Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe will be so yammy. I will try soon at home.

      Reply
    10. Sasha says

      June 09, 2019 at 7:57 am

      5 stars
      Quick to do, easy recipe to follow and the results are very tasty.

      Happy cooking

      Reply
    11. Dave says

      May 03, 2019 at 12:16 am

      5 stars
      This was super quick and easy and taste great. I don't personally care for chorizo so I left that out. I do have a question though. What is the jug for that you have listed under equipment?

      Reply
    12. q says

      April 24, 2019 at 1:23 pm

      5 stars
      Delishes

      Reply
    13. Helen says

      September 15, 2018 at 2:58 pm

      5 stars
      This is so good. Made it 3 times now in 3 weeks.

      Reply
    14. Anne says

      July 15, 2016 at 10:52 pm

      Omgggg this looks sooo good!!

      Reply
      • Nicky Corbishley says

        August 01, 2016 at 7:41 pm

        Thanks Anne 🙂

        Reply
    15. Alison Barker says

      July 06, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      Artisan food.

      Reply
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    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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