One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo requires chicken, fresh veggies, pasta, Cajun seasoning, and a few other ingredients. This dish is done in about 30 minutes and perfect for busy nights.
One-pot dishes are my favorite to make. They’re easy, quick, and require less clean-up. One-pot pasta dishes also mean there is no need for boiling water and a strainer.
Looking for more one pot pasta dishes? Check out this One Pot Sausage and Wine Pasta.
One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
One pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a family favorite meal in our home. My kids love this dish and I love that it’s quick and easy to make.
With Cajun Chicken Alfredo you can mix it up in a variety of ways. Use different meats or no meat, use different cheeses, different pasta, and a variety of veggies.
What Pasta to Use
When it comes to making one-pot Cajun chicken alfredo there are many different types of pasta you can use. While my recipe calls for penne you can use any type you have on hand. I’ve used fettuccini, bow-tie, and even macaroni noodles in a pinch.
What Meat to Use
You can use any kind of meat you want or no meat at all. Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp are all great options. If you don’t want meat, just leave it out.
Different Cheeses
While this recipe calls for just parmesan cheese you could cheese it up with different types of cheese. I’ve done a mix of mozzarella, white cheddar, and monterey jack. Just use 1/4 cup each cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan. It comes out really good.
No Meat Cajun Alfredo
The thing I love about this dish is that it can be catered to different tastes. I often make this dish with no meat. You’ll just skip the step with the meat and add the Cajun seasoning to the pasta. You can also leave out any veggies, which I often do for a quick lunch for the kids.
Different Veggies
Wondering what type of veggies to use in Cajun Alfredo? A variety of different types of vegetables work in this dish. If you wanted to add something besides onion and bell pepper you could sautee these veggies and add them to the dish:
- Zucchini
- Yellow Squash
- Carrots
- Peas
- Red Onion
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Egg Plant
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
…and much more. Add whatever vegetables your heart desires to your One Pot Alredo
How to Make Cajun Seasoning
Here is a simple recipe for homemade Cajun seasoning. You can use store-bought Cajun seasoning for this dish or you can make your own. You’ll mix together:
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp oregano
- 2 tbsp thyme
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tsp cayenne
If you want your Cajun spice mix less spicy you can add less cayenne and if you want it spicier add more cayenne. Store your homemade Cajun seasoning in an airtight container or spice jar.
Tips for Making One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
You’ll want your pasta to have a little bit of liquid in the pot when it’s done cooking. This helps give it a creamy sauce. If you check your pasta and it’s on the dry side add in some more heavy cream and let it boil for a minute or two.
If your pasta comes out runny remove the cover and boil for a few minutes to get some of the liquid to boil off. Even if it’s a little bit runny that’s ok as long as it’s not like a soup. When you add the cheese it will thicken the sauce up a bit.
One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Recipe
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 lb cooked andouille sausage
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 ½ tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 2 ½ cups whipping cream
- 1 lb penne pasta, uncooked
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for serving
- Salt and Pepper to taste
How to Make One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a deep pan
Add the sliced chicken and half of the cajun seasoning.
Add the andouille sausage and cook until the chicken is no longer pink about 4-5 minutes.
Remove the meat from the pot and add the remaining olive oil.
Add the garlic, diced peppers, and onions and cook until the onions are transparent and softened about 5 minutes.
Add the heavy cream, chicken stock, the rest of the Cajun seasoning and pasta. Stir so that the seasoning is incorporated into the liquid.
Bring the pot to a boil, cover and turn heat to low. Cook covered for 15-20 minutes, until pasta is tender.
On low heat, add the meat back in and stir so that it’s evenly incorporated.
Add the cheese and parsley, and stir. Remove from the heat.
Garnish with parsley and additional cajun seasoning.
This goes great with a salad and garlic bread.
One-Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
Creamy and Delicious one-pot dinner that is quick and easy.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 lb cooked andouille sausage (kielbasa also works)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 ½ tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 2 ½ cups whipping cream
- 1 lb penne pasta, uncooked
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for serving
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a deep pan
- Add the sliced chicken and half of the cajun seasoning.
- Add the andouille sausage and cook until the chicken is no longer pink about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the meat from the pot and add the remaining olive oil.
- Add the garlic, diced peppers, and onions and cook until the onions are transparent and softened about 5 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, chicken stock, the rest of the Cajun seasoning, and pasta. Stir so that the seasoning is incorporated into the liquid.
- Bring the pot to a boil, cover, and turn heat to low. Cook covered for 15-20 minutes until pasta is tender.
- On low heat, add the meat back in and stir so that it’s evenly incorporated.
- Add the cheese and parsley, and stir. Remove from the heat.
- Garnish with parsley and additional cajun seasoning.
Maralea
Wednesday 30th of July 2014
We too are huge pasta lovers! This recipe looks like one we will definitely be trying. Thank you!
Rosey
Monday 21st of November 2011
We're looking for sides for my father-in-law's birthday party/dinner and this is just perfect! T/Y for the great share!
melissa
Monday 21st of November 2011
Looks delicious!