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Creamy Cajun chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun chicken Pasta

This creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is made with golden pan-fried chicken thighs, tender rigatoni, and a rich, flavorful Cajun cream sauce. It’s cozy, comforting, and easy enough for a weeknight dinner while still impressive enough for date night!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Entree
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients:

  • 10-12 oz Rigatoni
  • 5-6 Boneless chicken thighs - skin-on preferred
  • 1 cup corn starch - season with salt & pepper
  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1.5 tbsp butter
  • 1 shallots - finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1.5 tbsp cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

Cook the pasta:

  • Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

Prepare the chicken:

  • While the pasta is cooking, coat both sides of the chicken thighs in seasoning cornstarch. Shake off any excess and set aside.

Pan-fry the chicken:

  • Heat oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan) in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in an even layer. Pan-fry for 7-8 minutes without flipping, until the bottom is crispy and golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for another 7–8 minutes, until crispy and golden. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

Build the sauce base:

  • Lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the same pan, then sauté the shallots and garlic for about 2 minutes. Pour in the white wine, stirring to deglaze and scrape up any browned bits.

Make the Cajun sauce:

  • Stir in chicken stock, heavy cream, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and bring to a gentle simmer.

Coat the chicken:

  • Return the chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the chicken pieces. Once both sides are coated with the sauce, Remove the chicken again and set aside.

Finish the pasta:

  • Add the cooked pasta into the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Serve:

  • Plate the pasta and top with the chicken. Serve warm and enjoy!

Optional extra sauce:

  • For additional sauce, combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Keyword cajun, chicken, creamy, Pasta
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