One-Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Total: 30 min
  • Active: 30 min
You can have this creamy and comforting pasta with chicken on the table in just 30 minutes and best of all, it all cooks in one pot -- you won't even need to boil water first! It's packed with tender chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onions, and finished off with a creamy tomato sauce.
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Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4), cut into 1-inch pieces

2 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 medium green bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch strips

1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, chopped

12 ounces smooth penne (see Cook's Note)

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes

6 ounces cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature

Kosher salt

4 scallions, sliced, for serving

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken just starts to change color and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add the peppers and onions and cook until they just begin to release some of their juices, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute.
  3. Add the pasta, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened and reduced by about half, about 15 minutes.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until the cream cheese is combined and melted. Don't worry if the sauce looks runny, it will thicken as it sits. Top with sliced scallions.

Cook’s Note

The success of this recipe depends upon the specific pasta shape suggested, so we do not recommend substitutions.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Anonymous

Thinking Louisiana I add celery with the onion and bell peppers. Gotta have that Trinity! <br />I also added 12oz of Andouille with the pound of chicken thigh. It’s not too much meat. The flavor pops and the presentation is much prettier. <br />

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