One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

To try

Servings: 4 · $4/serving · Active: 10 min · Total: 30 min · Difficulty: easy

dinnerone-potquickspicycandidateto-tryweeknightbudget-friendly

Notes

Candidate recipe added as a to-try option; quick one-pot dinner with familiar ingredients.
Imported from structured recipe metadata on 2026-06-01T03:45:23-04:00.
Image saved locally at /images/one-pot-creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta.jpg.

Quantity	Unit	Item	Section	Pantry?
2	tsp	smoked paprika	Baking/flour/cake mixes/sweeteners/spices/oils/canned fruit/baking nuts	yes
1	tsp	oregano	Canned vegetables/pickles/olives/beans/condiments/dressings/salad toppings/rice/bread crumbs	no
1	tsp	thyme	Canned vegetables/pickles/olives/beans/condiments/dressings/salad toppings/rice/bread crumbs	no
1/2	tsp	garlic powder	Produce	no
1/2	tsp	onion powder	Produce	no
1/4	tsp	cayenne pepper	Baking/flour/cake mixes/sweeteners/spices/oils/canned fruit/baking nuts	yes
1/4	tsp	black pepper	Baking/flour/cake mixes/sweeteners/spices/oils/canned fruit/baking nuts	yes
1/4	tsp	salt	Baking/flour/cake mixes/sweeteners/spices/oils/canned fruit/baking nuts	yes
1	tbsp	olive oil	Canned vegetables/pickles/olives/beans/condiments/dressings/salad toppings/rice/bread crumbs	yes
1	tbsp	butter	Dairy & Eggs	no
1	lb	boneless, skinless chicken breast	Meat & Seafood	no
1		yellow onion, diced	Produce	no
1/2	lb	penne pasta, uncooked	Pasta/sauces/tomato paste	no
15	oz	fire roasted diced tomatoes	Canned vegetables/pickles/olives/beans/condiments/dressings/salad toppings/rice/bread crumbs	no
2	cups	chicken broth	Canned soup/broth/crackers	no
2	oz	cream cheese	Dairy & Eggs	no
3		green onions, sliced	Canned vegetables/pickles/olives/beans/condiments/dressings/salad toppings/rice/bread crumbs	no

Combine the ingredients for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into 1/2 to 3/4-inch cubes. Place the cubed chicken in a bowl, pour the Cajun seasoning over top, and stir to coat the chicken in spices.
Add the olive oil and butter to a large deep skillet. Heat the oil and butter over medium-high until the skillet is very hot and the butter is melted and foamy. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for a couple minutes on each side, or just until the outside gets some color. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and continue to sauté for about 2 minutes more, or just until the onion begins to soften. Allow the moisture from the onion to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Next, add the pasta, fire roasted diced tomatoes (with the juices), and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir just until everything is evenly combined, then place a lid on top and allow the broth to come up to a boil.
Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the pasta simmer for about ten minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick and saucy.
Add the cream cheese to the skillet in chunks, then stir until it has melted into the sauce. Top the pasta with sliced green onions and serve.