Cajun Chicken Pasta One Pot

One pot dinners - I LOVE them! Especially speedy pasta versions. Perfect for getting dinner on the table before the kids start having an after-school hunger meltdown! This AMAZING Cajun Chicken pasta one pot has piles of Cajun chicken and chorizo all cooked together in a creamy tomato sauce. I like to add plenty of veg such a spinach, peppers and fresh tomatoes too. Because, hey, who doesn’t like getting one over on the kids and making them eat extra veg without even thinking about it 🙂   Start by frying onions in a little oil until softened. Coat chicken pieces in Cajun seasoning, then add the chicken to the pan and fry until sealed. Add garlic and chorizo and fry for a further two minutes, then add in sliced bell peppers.

Next in goes dried pasta shapes (I use rigatoni), tinned tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir, bring to the boil and place a lid on the pan. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and check the pasta to ensure it’s done. Stir in cream, then add baby spinach. Stir until wilted. Turn off the heat and top with chopped baby tomatoes, grated cheddar and  parsley.

Serve immediately.

Other vegetables can add or swap:

Mushrooms - Add chopped large or whole baby mushrooms at the same time you add the peppers. Green beans - Add roughly chopped green beans at the same time you add the peppers. Kale - Remove the tough stalks and shred the kale, then add in place of the spinach or at the same time as the spinach if you want to use both. Sundried tomatoes - add in at the same time as the spinach. Either add chopped spring onions at the same time as the spinach, or you can sprinkle them on at the end for a bit of crunch.

Can I make a vegetarian version?

Absolutely! Replace the chicken with tofu or quorn, or you could even roast some butternut squash or sweet potato and add that in instead (or aswell!). Replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock. Leave the chorizo out, or you can replace with veggie chorizo or regular vegetarian sausage. If I’m leaving the chorizo out or replacing it with vegetarian sausage, I like to add in a teaspoon of smoked paprika with the Cajun spice so I still get that hint of smoky sweetness.

Equipment:

In order to make this Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe you will need:

A good kitchen knife. I have recently bought this Dalstrong one and love it. Chopping Board Jug Grater (if you don’t use ready grated cheese) Measuring Spoons Garlic Press A frying pan/skillet Wooden or Silicon Coated Spoons. We have just bought these and love them.

The Cajun Chicken Pasta One Pot Video:

The Cajun Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe:

This recipes was first posted in June 2016, updated in November 2019 with new photos, tips and video. If you like the Cajun flavours in this dish then why not try my Cajun Chicken Salad with Coriander lime rice or my Cajun Chicken Noodle Salad. Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.