Cajun Chicken Pasta
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Chili’s copycat recipe made at home with an amazingly creamy melt-in-your-mouth alfredo sauce. And you know it tastes 10000x better!
I honestly haven’t been to Chili’s in about 10 years, but this place really holds such good memories for me. I’ve come here with family on many occasions and I might have had my first real date here. No joke.
Hey, when you’re 16, Chili’s is the best date night you will get. And I wouldn’t mind it on a Friday night right now. After all, have you seen their blooming onion?
But this cajun pasta has always had my heart and soul. That creamy alfredo sauce just melts right in your mouth, complemented by the spicy kick of the cajun chicken topped with refreshing tomato chunks and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
The flavor combination is just perfect, and you can make it right at home in 30 minutes or less. That way you can have date night with the same restaurant-quality at home, in sweats, binge-watching Netflix. Done.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream, or more, to taste
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1 tablespoon olive oil and cajun seasoning.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a cast iron grill pan over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in heavy cream and lemon zest. Cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more heavy cream as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Stir in pasta and gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately with chicken, garnished with tomatoes and parsley, if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
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I’ve made this a couple of times, and it seriously is so yummy! Thank you!!
Thank you! So happy you like it.
WOW!!!
I have tried several of you’re recipes, and they always turn out great. This is the first time I’ve been compelled to comment on one. This was outstanding! We moved out to the country and take-out is a thing of the past. I chose to make this as my Mother’s Day dinner this year, and it was just what I was craving. The only thing I did differently was substitute lemon juice for the zest, and grilled the chicken. The lemon made the sauce. If you don’t have the zest, make sure you use juice. My daughter said it was the best pasta I’ve ever made! Definitely restaurant quality, it beats the heck out of a 45 minute trip into town. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Thank you so much for the huge compliment Kelly! So great your family enjoys it!
Any chance you can make this as a casserole?
Hi Rita! That sounds like such a great idea but unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Thank you for this cajun chicken pasta recipe.
I know you said you can omit the lemon zest, but wouldn’t it take away some of the taste? Also, can this be refrigerated and consume some days after? Thnks
Yes, you can omit the lemon zest if that is what you prefer. This also reheats very well but as I am not an expert on food safety, I cannot really say with certainty – sorry! Methods for optimal food storage and shelf life should be based on good judgment and what you are personally comfortable with. Hope that helps, Coeba!
This looks so delicious! Is the lemon zest a key part of the recipe? Or would it taste okay without?
Yes, you can omit.
I love this recipe! Definitely a favorite in our house. I substitute spaghetti squash instead of the pasta to cut back on carbs. I make extra sauce and add an extra chicken breast as my husband insists I cook a serving for his lunch the following day!
If I double this recipe is there anything that you would do differently ? Or just double it all?
Thanks !!
You can simply double the recipe and adjust cooking time as needed. Hope that helps!
Can I make this without the chicken? Will it ruin the taste if I add the Cajun packet to the sauce instead? My husband and I really want to try this! 🙂
Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Is this okay as leftovers? If its not eaten all the way the first night? In other words, will it be good for lunch the next day?
Yes, absolutely.
This is my go-to meal at Chili’s. I didn’t want to go out to eat tonight, so I decided to try this instead. It was delicious and tasted just like Chili’s. I will be saving the recipe to use again!
Delish dish. Tasted amazing, loved the lemon taste mixed with the Cajun chicken. Will definitely be making it again.
Hello Chungah, great recipe! Will be making it tonight Question: does the chicken need to be marinated for a certain time? Thank you and have a great day
Not at all! 🙂
If I leave out the lemon zest, will it still be yummy?
Of course! If you’re not a big fan of lemon zest, you can omit as needed.
I love that this can be reheated after being done the day before. thanks Chungah
I’m considering making this for a party. Can it be made ahead earlier in the day and reheated?
Yes, absolutely.
When you measure noodles for your recipes do you go by weight or do you measure it in a liquid measuring cup to the specified ounces for the recipe?
I go by weight.
This was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!! Whole entire family LOVED it!!!!! Another high light is EASY dish!!!!! Thank you so so much for sharing this recipe and this is my family keeper 😀
Love love LOVE this recipe! Works with shrimp too, always a favorite when we have dinner guests.
Looks great!! Cajun Chicken is the best!! (:
A perfect meal for a hurried weeknight! My produce drawers are always filled with various odds and ends as well