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Creamy meets spicy in this easy one pot cajun chicken pasta dinner! On the table ready to eat in less than 30 minutes!

pasta in white bowls next to napkins and forks

Simple meals with wholesome ingredients and easy cleanup is my mantra. When I can make it and the family loves it, well, that’s a huge win in my kitchen!

This one pot cajun chicken pasta fits all the criteria. It’s chicken with a bit of cajun spice, and all the one pot pasta ease of cooking and clean up. What more could you ask for?

pasta in white bowl next to 2 forks and napkins

What is a one pot pasta dish?

It’s just like it sounds. It’s a pasta dish, complete with sauce, made in the same pot. The pasta is infused with flavor as it cooks in the sauce. The sauce will thicken as it cooks, making it nearly hands off cooking.

Ingredients you need

Chicken breast or thighs
Onion
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Cayenne pepper
Penne pasta
Chicken broth
Canned tomatoes
Butter
Flour
Milk

How to make one pot pasta

Brown chicken, cook to medium done, then remove to plate.
Saute onions and seasonings for 3 minutes.
Add butter to vegetables and stir in flour.
Stir in tomatoes, broth, milk, pasta, and chicken. Simmer until done.

Can I make this gluten free?

Yes! Simply swap the regular penne with your favorite brown rice pasta. (I like this from Tinkyada)

Instead of making a roux with butter and flour, swap the milk, butter, and flour out with 3 cups heavy cream. You will want to stir the dish as it’s cooking, but only just to keep it from burning on the bottom. Heavy cream will thicken as it cooks, but over stirring it will cause it to break down and not be as thick.

Tips for the best one pot meals

Make sure to bring to a boil any liquids before adding pasta to keep it from clumping.
Spend a few minutes stirring it completely when you first add the pasta, and continue to stir frequently to keep the sauce from burning.
Use a larger pot than you think you need. Always. The sauce can boil over quickly, making a huge mess otherwise.

What to serve with this dish

Other easy meals to try

One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta

Name: One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons avocado oil; 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, boneless; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon oregano; 4 Tablespoons butter; 4 Tablespoons flour; 4 cups chicken broth; 3 cups milk; 1 15 ounce canned tomatoes with liquid

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Creamy meets spicy with this easy one pot chicken pasta dish!

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons avocado oil
1 pound chicken breasts or thighs, boneless
1 medium onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
4 Tablespoons butter
4 Tablespoons flour
4 cups chicken broth
3 cups milk
1 15 ounce canned tomatoes with liquid

Instructions

Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces. In an 8 quart pot, add oil and heat over medium high heat. Add chicken to hot oil and cook until medium done.
Remove chicken to a plate, set aside.
In same pot, stir in onions and add seasonings. Saute for 3 minutes.
Melt butter over onions and stir in flour to form roux base.
Add in canned tomatoes with liquid, broth, and milk and stir.
Add in diced chicken, stir and bring to a boil.
Turn heat down to medium, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until pasta is done and chicken is cooked through, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Serve hot.

Notes

Allow pasta dish to sit for 10 minutes off the heat once finished. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools a bit.

One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta