• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches
      • Drinks/Cocktails
      • Sauces & Dressings
    • Method
      • Crockpot
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Air Fryer
      • Casseroles
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • European
      • Indian
      • Romanian
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • American
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Spices
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Game Day
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Mother's Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Father's Day
      • 4th Of July
      • Labor Day
      • Halloween
    • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • Shop
  • About Jo
FREE recipe eBook!
Search...
All Recipes
Instant Pot
30 Minute
One Pot Meals
Soups
Dips & Dressings
Baking
Pasta
Sandwiches
Sides
Chicken Lunch Dinner 30 Minutes or Less Pork Pasta
4.7 from 63 votes

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Jump to RecipeVideoPrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •3/26/23 33 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for cajun chicken pasta.

This is the best Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe! It’s creamy, cheesy, loaded with flavor, and on the table in 30 minutes! An easy weeknight dinner your whole family will love.

cajun chicken pasta garnished with parsley in a white bowl.
Table of Contents Open
  • The Best Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
  • Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Pasta
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Cajun Chicken Pasta
    • Cook The Pasta
    • Cook The Chicken
    • Add The Sausage
    • Add The Aromatics
    • Make The Sauce
    • Finish The Dish
  • What Is Cajun Seasoning Made Of?
  • What Else Can I Add to Cajun Chicken Pasta?
  • Expert Tips
  • Storage
  • Freezing
  • Other Delicious Recipes To Try
  • Cajun Chicken Pasta
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Video
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

The Best Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Cajun Chicken Pasta with smoked sausage is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines spicy cajun flavors with tender chicken and smoked sausage. I love this recipe because you can easily customize it by adjusting the spice level and adding veggies to it like bell peppers or mushrooms.

This pasta dish is a great weeknight meal that’s easy to prepare and ready in under 30 minutes. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who loves spicy and hearty dishes with bold flavors. The half and half also make this dish lighter than traditional heavy cream-based pasta dishes, making it a healthier option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

cajun chicken pasta garnished with parsley in a white bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Pasta

  • Quick and Easy! Perfect for busy weeknights! You can whip this recipe together in 30 minutes with just a handful of ingredients that you can find in any grocery store.
  • Creamy Cajun Pasta! This rich and creamy cheesy cajun chicken and sausage pasta is unbelievably tasty with layers of cajun flavor and smoked sausage yumminess. 
  • Family Favorite! Your loved ones will rave over this yummy pasta! The kids too! To make it mild for the little ones just use a little less cajun seasoning.  

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients needed to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Pasta – I used penne pasta. But any type of pasta will work like fusilli, farfalle, rigatoni, or noodles.
  • Olive Oil – The best choice is extra virgin olive oil for the added flavor.
  • Chicken – You will need some boneless skinless chicken breasts. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are another option.
  • Cajun Seasoning – Gives the dish a little kick, any store-bought variety will work or you can try making your own cajun seasoning.
  • Salt – Salt is used to season the pasta water and the dish.
  • Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper is the best choice.
  • Sausage: Smoked sausage adds some yummy pork flavor to the dish. 
  • Garlic – Fresh minced garlic cloves add the best flavor. Jarred garlic will work, but can have a bitter taste.
  • Parsley – Add a layer of herby flavor and it’s also used to garnish the pasta.
  • Half and Half – Makes the pasta creamy and thickens the sauce as well. You could also use half milk and half heavy cream if you don’t have half and half on hand.
  • Parmesan Cheese – It’s added to the dish to make it cheesy and used to garnish before serving. 

How To Make Cajun Chicken Pasta

This delicious cajun chicken and sausage pasta recipe is super easy! All you have to do is boil some penne or your favorite pasta and make a simple sauce. The entire dish comes together in 30 minutes!

Cook The Pasta

process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.

To start, you’ll need to bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Next, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, which means still firm the bite. Then drain the pasta and set it aside for now.

Cook The Chicken

process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, you can begin sautéing the chicken. First, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Then add the pieces of chicken and sprinkle them with the cajun seasoning as well as some salt and black pepper to taste. Now, cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until it’s no longer pink and fully cooked.

Add The Sausage

process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.

Next, add the smoked sausage and cook it for a couple of minutes until it starts to brown. Don’t forget to move it around the pan to get some color on all sides of the sausage. This is one of the keys to making a flavorful dish. 

Add The Aromatics

process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.

After the sausage has some color on it, add the minced garlic and chopped fresh parsley to the skillet. Then saute it together with the sausage and chicken for just 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. If you cook the garlic for more than 30 seconds you risk burning it.

Make The Sauce

process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.

Now that everything has been sautéed, begin making the sauce by pouring the half and half into the skillet and bringing it to a boil. Then stir in the parmesan cheese and let the sauce cook for just 30 seconds to a minute to let the cheese incorporate into the sauce. 

Finish The Dish

process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.

To complete the dish, turn off the heat and add the cooked penne to the skillet. Now, toss everything together to fully coat the pasta in the sauce. Then garnish it with more grated parmesan cheese and parsley. Now, serve the cajun chicken pasta immediately with some Garlic Knots if you like. 

freshly made cajun chicken pasta in a dutch oven.

What Is Cajun Seasoning Made Of?

Cajun seasoning is typically a mixture of salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. Some mixtures include oregano as well. So if you don’t have any cajun seasoning on hand or feel like making my cajun spice mix, you can use a combination of these spices. And if your pantry is pretty bare, you can always mix together 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to use as a substitute for cajun seasoning. 

What Else Can I Add to Cajun Chicken Pasta?

This dish is really flexible so you can add just about anything you like! Shrimp could be an amazing addition. And sauteed veggies like bell peppers and onions would blend right into the flavor profile. You could even replace the parmesan cheese with cheddar cheese. Just keep in mind that you need enough sauce to coat all the pasta and add-ins.

cajun chicken pasta garnished with parsley in a white bowl.

Expert Tips

  1. Salt your pasta water. You must salt your pasta cooking water with at least a tablespoon of salt to infuse the pasta with flavor. Not doing so can result in a bland dish.
  2. Pat the chicken dry. Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry to remove any excess moisture before sauteing. This will help the chicken brown better, which makes the dish more flavorful. 
  3. Remove the pan from the heat. Once the dish is complete take it off the hot burner. You do not want the pasta to cook more once it’s been tossed together with the sauce.

Storage

Allow the dish to cool to room temperature then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last 3-4 days, which makes it perfect for your weekly meal-prep! To reheat, transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish, and reheat in the microwave on medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can reheat the pasta on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Freezing

Transfer the cooled cajun chicken pasta to an airtight container or a freezer-safe sealable plastic bag. The pasta can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

When ready to reheat, remove the container or bag from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish, and reheat in the microwave on medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

cajun chicken pasta garnished with parsley in a white bowl.

Other Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
  • Crispy Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine
  • Cajun Shrimp with Tomato Alfredo Pasta
  • Crack Chicken Penne
  • Creamy Cajun Pastalaya
  • Cajun Pork Bites

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

cajun chicken pasta garnished with parsley in a white bowl.
Print
4.70 from 63 votes

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cook 20 minutes minutes
Total 30 minutes minutes
Rate Recipe
This is the best Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe! It’s creamy, cheesy, loaded with flavor, and on the table in 30 minutes! An easy weeknight dinner your whole family will love.
4

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces penne (2 cups, uncooked)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast (2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into small pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 2 links smoked sausage (cut into slices, about 8 ounces)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ¼ cup parsley (chopped)
  • 2 cups half and half (or heavy cream)
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until it's al dente (cooked until it's still firm when bitten). Drain and set aside.
    process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet, then sprinkle with the cajun seasoning and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and is cooked through, should take about 5 minutes.
    process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Stir in the sausage and cook for a couple more minutes until the sausage starts to brown.
    process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Add the garlic, parsley to the skillet and stir. Cook for 30 seconds until the garlic becomes aromatic.
    process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Add the half and half and cook until it comes to a boil. Stir in the parmesan cheese.
    process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Add the penne and stir everything together. 
    process shots showing how to make cajun chicken pasta.
  • Garnish with more parmesan cheese and parsley if preferred and serve while warm.

Video

Notes

  1. Half and Half: Half and half has 12 percent fat content. Heavy cream can also be used. It is also called heavy whipping cream because it’s whipping cream with a milk fat content between 36 and 40 percent. 
  2. Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Keep in mind that the pasta will soak up all the sauce. 
  3. Make ahead: Make the sauce ahead, then refrigerate. When ready to serve cook the pasta, then add the pasta to the sauce and cook until heated through.
  4. Note that that reheating leftovers may cause the pasta to become slightly dry. To prevent this, you can add a splash of chicken broth or water before reheating to add some moisture.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 674kcal (34%)Carbohydrates: 51g (17%)Protein: 45g (90%)Fat: 32g (49%)Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 132mg (44%)Sodium: 764mg (33%)Potassium: 841mg (24%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 2698IU (54%)Vitamin C: 8mg (10%)Calcium: 461mg (46%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

cajun chicken pasta garnished with parsley in a white bowl.

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @jocooks or hashtag #jocooks so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Add Your Photo!
  • 516
  • 3
Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Through Jo Cooks, I invite you to join me in my kitchen as we explore delicious recipes from around the globe, celebrate the joy of cooking, and make every meal a memorable one. Happy cooking!

Read More
iPad showing title of ebook 30 recipes from around the world
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

33 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JoAnn
JoAnn
Posted: 28 days ago

The whole family loved it I will be making it again.

0
Reply
Joan
Joan
Posted: 29 days ago

5 stars
This was delicious…I will make it many times. The smoked sausage left such a nice flavour.

0
Reply
Sally
Sally
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
Loved this recipe. I added some chili pepper

0
Reply
Rich
Rich
Posted: 1 month ago

Joanna – think I’m gonna use a pound of pasta – so I will eye-ball the sauce ingredients – possibly (almost) doubling? Looks fantastic!
(I always liked the spicey pasta dish at Chili’s – and this looks similar minus the sausage.)

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Rich
Posted: 1 month ago

You’d have to. In the recipe card, if you change the number of servings to double what it says, the ingredient amounts will update automatically.

1
Reply
Cbee452
Cbee452
Posted: 1 month ago

5 stars
This recipe is so easy to make and one of the best pasta dishes ever. So much flavour.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Cbee452
Posted: 1 month ago

So glad you like it!

0
Reply
Kylee
Kylee
Posted: 5 months ago

5 stars
It was delicious and easy to make. I didn’t have garlic so I used 3 1/8 teaspoons of garlic powder and it worked great! A little spicy but the perfect amount for us.

1
Reply
Becky
Becky
Posted: 7 months ago

5 stars
I’m rating this recipe as five stars even though mine was a failure. I used a commercial Cajun seasoning and the salt level made the dish inedible. I could tell this would have been delicious if I’d made Jo’s Cajun seasoning which I’ll do next time, starting out with very little salt and adding more to taste if desired.

1
Reply
Claire
Claire
Posted: 2 years ago

Unable to get half and half can I just use one cup of milk and one cup of cream?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Claire
Posted: 2 years ago

Sure!

0
Reply
Caroline
Caroline
Posted: 2 years ago

Going to make tonight, any ideas on how to make it less spicy for toddlers to enjoy? Less cajun maybe?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Caroline
Posted: 2 years ago

You can use less cajun seasoning.

0
Reply
kelli brown
kelli brown
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
This recipe was very easy and the whole family loved it! Thanks Jo!

0
Reply
Alex
Alex
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Killer!

0
Reply
Emma Hinson
Emma Hinson
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Lived it. Substituted jalenpeno habenero pepper jack cheese for the parmesan. Wonderful!

1
Reply
Angie
Angie
Posted: 4 years ago

Great, fast, and easy recipe for beginners! A little too spicy for kids under 12 but I loved!

0
Reply
Tammy mccray
Tammy mccray
Posted: 4 years ago

I love this meal, it has made my cooking easier on the days I’m just exhausted but need to feed the family. Thank you!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tammy mccray
Posted: 4 years ago

My pleasure, glad you liked it, Tammy!

0
Reply
Donny
Donny
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
so good. easy to make. Little spicy for my 6 year old. but worth it!!

0
Reply

sidebar

Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is the place where I share my passion for easy and delicious recipes. From comforting classics to global flavors, I believe that cooking should be fun, approachable, and most importantly, rewarding. Join me on this culinary journey and let’s get cooking!

Read More
Collage of recipe ebooks
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

Pasta Favorites

baked mac and cheese in a black cast iron skillet.
45 minutes mins

Baked Mac And Cheese

freshly made crack chicken penne with a wooden spoon in a skillet.
40 minutes mins

Crack Chicken Penne

chicken pot pie pasta in a white serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
50 minutes mins

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

freshly made one pot pasta in a dutch oven.
20 minutes mins

One Pot Pasta

tomato spinach chicken pasta in a white bowl.
30 minutes mins

Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.
30 minutes mins

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

baked feta pasta in a white bowl garnished with fresh basil.
50 minutes mins

Baked Feta Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)

sideview shot of chicken fajita pasta in a white bowl with a fork inside
45 minutes mins

Chicken Fajita Pasta

side close up shot of swedish meatball pasta in a beige braised garnished with parsley
30 minutes mins

Swedish Meatball Pasta

overhead shot of a bowl of haluski
40 minutes mins

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles)

A stack of cookbooks
Grab a copy!

My Cookbooks

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Dinner Favorites

smothered pork chops in a skillet garnished with parsley.
1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Smothered Pork Chops

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet
30 minutes mins

Salisbury Steak

beef lo mein in a black wok.
30 minutes mins

Beef Lo Mein

side shot of beef and broccoli in a skillet
15 minutes mins

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

skillet shepherd's pie in a cast iron skillet with a portion taken out.
1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.
30 minutes mins

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

side view shot of two italian stuffed peppers in a bowl
2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Italian Stuffed Peppers

side view shot of a bowl with a scoop of spaghetti bolognese in it
40 minutes mins

Spaghetti Bolognese

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok
Visit our Other Site: Craving Home Cooked

Explore

Recipes
Cookbooks
About Jo
Contact

Legal

Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
No AI
© 2023 Jo Cooks
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
wpDiscuz