This simple Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe is the ideal blend of spicy and creamy, with tender chicken breast (if you have leftovers, use them! ), penne pasta, and the creamiest cheese sauce. Additionally, it contains herbs, sliced bell pepper, and a Cajun spice combination that you will like.

This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta takes about 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish. It is quick, simple, insanely creamy, loaded with warm, spicy flavor, and, to top it off, cheesy as well! Serve with warm garlic bread and drive right in!

This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta mixes French, Southern, and other influences. It consists of substantial, country-style cuisine and is our favorite restaurant-style recipe for home cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• 30-minute meal
• Customizable: Choose your pasta and veggies, and make it healthier if you want to!
• Easy to make healthier

What Does “Cajun” Mean?

In the context of cuisine, the term “Cajun” refers to a spice mixture that originated in Acadian villages in Louisiana. The mixture includes paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder, among others. When I want to add a little heat to whatever I’m cooking, it is one of my go-to spices.

Cajun Seasoning contains paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt.

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

Time to get this Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta cooking! it requires quite a few ingredients, so let’s go through them:

• Pasta: I used penne pasta, but you can use whatever kind you like. (Bow-tie, spaghetti, etc.)
• Butter: Salted or unsalted, whichever kind you prefer.
• Olive Oil: You can use another cooking oil instead if you want.
• Onion: Dice up a white onion before starting.
• Bell Pepper: Seed and dice 1 red bell pepper.
• Garlic: Minced.
• Seasoning: Use Cajun seasoning, dried basil, paprika powder, ground black pepper, and salt.
• Cayenne Pepper: Use more or less depending on your taste.
• Chicken Breast Tenders: Cut them into bite-size pieces, or use any leftover chicken breast you have sitting in the fridge.
• Cheese: I like to use parmesan cheese for this recipe (freshly shredded).
• Heavy Cream: Half-and-half can also work.
• Cream Cheese: Let it come to room temperature before starting.
• Chicken Broth: Use normal or low-sodium salt, whatever you want.

What Type Of Pasta To Use For This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta?

This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta may be made with whatever form of pasta you like. Rotini, farfalle, shells, linguini, spaghetti, fettuccine, you name it! Using low-carb substitutes may necessitate thickening the sauce with a cornstarch slurry. When everything comes together, the pasta’s starch thickens the sauce in this Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta dish.

How To Make This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta Healthier?

• Substitute whole-grain pasta
• Add veggies: Include any leftover veggies from the refrigerator. Adding sliced bell peppers would make the Cajun Chicken Pasta meal from The Pioneer Woman more genuine. Other nice ingredients are sliced bell peppers, spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, and broccoli, among others.
• Substitute olive oil for the butter or cut the butter amount in half.
• Use low-fat cream cheese
• Use skim milk
• Omit the parmesan cheese

How To Make Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta?

1. In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat and cook the pasta. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water (to avoid clumping; you may also toss it with a little olive oil to prevent clumping), and leave aside.
2. While the pasta is boiling, combine the butter, olive oil, and onion in a large saucepan and sauté over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onion turns translucent.
3. Add the red bell pepper, garlic, Cajun spice, basil, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Stir to mix, and cook for a further three minutes, or until the bell pepper begins to soften.
4. Stir in the chicken and simmer for an additional 6 to 8 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. Next, go ahead and stir in the parmesan, heavy cream, cream cheese, and chicken stock and boil for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the cream cheese is completely melted.
6. Stir in the cooked and drained pasta to coat it with the sauce. Cook for two to three minutes and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if preferred.

What To Serve With This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta Dish?

Wondering what to serve with your creamy Cajun chicken pasta from Pioneer Woman? You are at the correct location! Here are some of my favorite alternatives:

• Bread: Warm, crusty bread must accompany this Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta dish; you don’t want to lose a drop of that delicious sauce! We enjoy garlic bread over all other warm, crusty bread.
• Add-Ins: You don’t have to stick to chicken if you would rather add in shrimp, sausage, or some other kind of protein, to this Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta dish. Vegetables may be included. You could want to try mushrooms, broccoli, etc.
• Salad: If you want to keep your side dish option light, make a green salad with a light vinaigrette for an easy side.
• Vegetables: Roasted broccoli or steamed broccoli florets are a great green side dish paired with this Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta. However, you may roast whatever veggies you choose as a side dish!

How To Store Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta Leftovers In The Fridge?

This Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta?

Yes, in an airtight container, this Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta will last 3-6 months in your freezer. I would freeze it in individual servings so that it will be easier to thaw.

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta Leftovers?

• In The Oven: Place the Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta in an oven-safe shallow bowl with some leftover chicken sauce or cream and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Preheat the oven to 350° and cook the pasta for about 20 minutes, until heated through. Reheating Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta in the oven will cause the pasta to absorb some of the sauce. Covering it will prevent it from drying out.
• In The Microwave: Microwave your Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta leftovers in a microwave-safe container or dish. Reheat the Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta for one minute at a time, stirring well, until well heated.

Recipe Tips

• Be careful not to overcook the chicken or it will be dry. Just cook right to 165 in the center.
• You can add shrimp: You may thicken the sauce by adding raw shrimp that has been peeled and deveined during the cooking process. The shrimp will cook within the same time frame, around 8 to 10 minutes. Continue with the remainder of the Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe as directed to create Shrimp Pasta!
• Rinse the Pasta: Rinse the penne with cold water so it doesn’t clump. You can also toss a little olive oil on it to prevent clumping as well.
• A Note on Cayenne Pepper: If you like heat, start by adding 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and taste the sauce. Remember you can always add more cayenne pepper, but you can’t take it out!
• Cook pasta just to al dente texture. Off heat, it will continue to soften somewhat.
• I suggest sticking to the homemade cajun seasoning so that you have more control over the degree of salty and heat.
• If you want to use a different brand of pasta, bear in mind that the quantity of liquid and cooking time may slightly change.

FAQ Section

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Chicken and Noodles
• Pioneer Woman Beef Stew Crockpot
• Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe

Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

• Calories 625
• Total Fat 32.6g
• Saturated Fat 12.2g
• Trans Fat 1052.8g
• Cholesterol 101.2mg
• Sodium 1052.8mg
• Potassium 288.6mg
• Total Carbohydrate 56.8g
• Dietary Fiber 1.8g
• Sugars 5.7g
• Protein 31.1g
• Vitamin A 24.9%
• Vitamin C 83.1%
• Calcium 4.1%
• Iron 6%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source