This Cajun chicken pasta is a Chili’s copycat recipe that’s made with grilled Cajun chicken breast served over creamy pasta, then finished off with fresh tomatoes. An easy dinner that tastes even better than the restaurant version!
Creamy chicken pasta is always a hit at my house, and this take on one of Chili’s most popular dishes is no exception. It’s the perfect way to bring a restaurant favorite to your dining room table!
Chicken and pasta are mainstays around here. In fact, either chicken or pasta show up on our dinner table multiple nights each week. One of our favorites is creamy Cajun chicken pasta. This is a copycat dish from Chili’s restaurant, and is arguably one of their best and most popular dishes.
HOW DO YOU MAKE CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA?
The first step is to grill your Cajun spiced chicken breasts. There are a few ways you can prepare the chicken for your this dish. It can either be grilled on an outdoor grill, indoors on a grill pan, or sauteed in a skillet. Chicken thighs can be substituted in place of breasts, if desired.
While the chicken is cooking, I boil my pasta and make the creamy sauce. The chicken gets arranged over the top of the pasta, and the finishing touch is a sprinkling of fresh diced tomatoes, green onions and shredded parmesan cheese.
Tips for Cajun chicken pasta
- For this dish, any short pasta will work if you don’t have penne on hand.
- No green onions? Try chopped parsley or basil instead.
- This dish tastes best if you make it with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SHORT PASTA?
Any pasta that is smaller or “shorter” in size such as penne, is considered a short pasta. Pasta such as spaghetti wouldn’t work because it’s not a short pasta. Other short pastas are elbow macaroni, cavatappi, rigatoni, etc. I love using penne in this dish because the ridges on the pasta really help that creamy sauce cling to each noodle.
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR OWN CAJUN SEASONING?
Homemade Cajun seasoning is a delicious and easy spice to make on your own. It’s made with a blend of garlic powder, herbs and spices. I definitely recommend making your own if you can, as I think it has a much better flavor than the store bought kind.
HOW TO MAKE CAJUN SEASONING
You can use store bought Cajun seasoning for the recipe, or make your own. To make Cajun seasoning, combine 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme. Mix everything together and store in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.
I’ve always loved taking the family out for a nice dinner from time to time. However, I also love when I can capture one of our favorite dishes without having to go out and get it from a restaurant. Cajun chicken pasta has definitely made it onto our favorites list!
MORE PASTA RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Cajun Chicken Pasta Video
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning plus more for garnish
- 10 ounces penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2/3 cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and season on both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Preheat a grill, grill pan or skillet to medium high heat.
- Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Cut the chicken into slices.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce.
- In small pot, combine the heavy cream, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 4 minutes.
- Stir the parmesan cheese into the sauce, cook until melted.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce and arrange the chicken on top. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, tomatoes, green onions and shredded parmesan, then serve.
Jenn says
Love the Cajun seasoning. I used it on shrimp too and it tastes great! Full flavor and easy recipe.
Brenda says
What kind of Cajun seasoning do you use? Does it matter? Does Tony C’s work?
Sara says
I use Penzey’s but Tony C will also work!
Debbie says
My garden if full of fresh tomatoes so this is a perfect dish!
Trina says
This looks delicious, my family loves Pasta so I will have to give this recipe a try!
Rachel says
This is my go to order at Chili’s. I cant wait to try it at home.
Kathy says
This looks absolutely amazing! I need to give this a try real soon. I’m saving this so I can make it later. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Ruth I. says
Ahh, how delicious looking this dish is! I love pasta and will definitely try this recip. Yum!
Cherri Megasko says
Yum! I love the look of this! I am a big fan of blackened chicken, and this reminds me of that.
Rose Ann Sales says
My family loves pasta so much and this cajun chicken pasta recipe looks really delicious and looks so easy to make. I will try to make this for my family and I am sure they will love it.
Shannan P says
This looks absolutely amazing! Definitely going to have to give this a try. My husband loves Cajun chicken!
HilLesha says
This looks amazingly delicious! While I personally don’t eat chicken or any kind of meat for that matter, I know that my family would enjoy this recipe. Especially, my oldest son. He LOVES chicken.
Sian Jones says
But all you have to do is use a substitute meat & get all those other delicious flavours, that’s what I do. And did, in this case. I’m not sure if the UK ‘Cajun’ powders are the same but I thoroughly enjoyed this,wonderful with salads & jacket spuds. I wish people would comment more on how they enjoyed a recipe or what they did to tweak it to make it different, rather than just say they intend to do it, I have to trawl through that & it isn’t at all interesting.
Heather says
That looks so awesome! I love chili’s cajun chicken pasta! Thanks for the recipe! Pinning!!
Bonnie G says
I love a good recipe and this one looks really good. I am going to have to make this this week.
Terri Steffes says
I couldn’t imagine how the cajun flavors would work in a pasta dish but I do have to say that it looks amazing. I will definitely show this to my family!
Stacie says
That sounds so good. I love Cajun spice, and I cook with chicken all the time. This is tailor-made for me and my family. Thanks!
GiGi Eats says
THAT chicken look so dang flavorful!!! YUM 🙂