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Hot & Spicy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti
Hi everyone! If you're craving a dinner that's bold and satisfying, then this hot and fiery Cajun chicken pasta is what you have to make tonight!
This recipe has been my new go-to quick pasta dish and I've become so hooked! It's perfect to make when you get home from a long day at work - it takes only about twenty minutes! You only need a few ingredients, and the star of this dish is a delectable pan-seared Cajun chicken. It's saucy and hot, absolutely delicious.
I love to make pasta when I’m actually not sure what to make for dinner! I find it’s not only an excellent comfort food, but it’s extremely satisfying and easy to make. Of course, I’ll plan out some special pasta dinners such as this Creamy Lobster Mac and Cheese with Chili Garlic Butter, or the timeless Spaghetti & Meatballs with Classic Marinara. Other times, however, you just gotta have a pasta dish that’s dump-and-go!
The star of this dish for me is the juicy Cajun chicken. We’re going to pair it with a quick and effortless tomato sauce, and top it with some fresh basil. It’s bold, tasty, and you’ll devour it in no time!
Cajun?▼
Cajun seasoning is a zesty and spicy spice blend consisting of:
You can purchase this spice blend at your local grocery store, but I love to make my own! If you’re looking for how I make my Cajun seasoning, check out my recipe here!
Tools Needed
Ingredients Needed for This Cajun Chicken Recipe with Spaghetti
This recipe uses only a handful of ingredients! You’ll need:
- Spaghetti
- Chicken breast
- Diced tomatoes
- Cajun seasoning
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Chili flakes
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated as desired.
If you don’t have spaghetti, you can use any other pasta you have on hand, such as linguine, penne, or fettuccine. I love using spaghetti in this because it really grabs all of the tomato sauce, and it’s a classic pasta shape!
How to Make Cajun Chicken Pasta
You’re here because you’re looking for a super easy and convenient dinner recipe. This Cajun Spaghetti recipe checks those boxes! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE so you can save it for later!
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Begin by butterflying the chicken breasts.
Then cut the chicken breast into bite-sized cubes.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 Tbsp of Cajun seasoning.
Then, heat a pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Let the oil get hot and add your chicken pieces.
Fully cook your chicken for about 4 minutes on each side.
Once the chicken has finished cooking, set it aside on a plate. Add the remaining olive oil to the same pan. This pan may have small burnt bits from cooking, which will add lots of flavor to the sauce.
Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chili flakes. Cook for 30-40 seconds.
Add in the tomatoes and bring the mixture up to a simmer.
Season with salt and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Cook on medium heat until the sauce reduces and has a thick consistency.
As the sauce cooks, bring water up to a boil in a large pot. Season the water generously with salt.
Add the spaghetti to the pot and cook as per package directions.
When the pasta has finished cooking, reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water. Drain the water and add cooked spaghetti to the sauce.
Toss the pasta in the sauce to ensure it’s well-coated.
Add fresh basil leaves to the pan.
Transfer the pasta to a serving plate. Add the cooked chicken pieces and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!
Can You Make This Spicy Cajun Pasta with Chicken in Advance?▼
You sure can! If you want to make this in advance, you could make the sauce ahead of time, then prepare the chicken and pasta when you’re ready to serve.
Another time-saver option is to use some Classic Italian Marinara Sauce. When I made this dish for these pictures, that’s actually what I did and it turned out great!
If you want to make the entire dish ahead of time, it will stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days. I personally would recommend 3 days so that you still have the amazing flavors from the grilled chicken. Store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge.
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!
Recipe by Anadi Misra
Bold, smoky, and packed with heat — this Cajun Chicken Spaghetti is an easy weeknight recipe ready in under 30 minutes. Spicy, satisfying, and impossible to resist.
Stovetop
5.0 · 3 ratings
10 min
Prep
17 min
Cook
27 min
Total
2
servings
medium
Level
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tap any quantity to scale
For the Cajun chicken pasta
- (227 g) spaghettiShop →
- (170 g) chicken breast
- (480 ml) Classic Italian Marinara Sauce · make your own
- (10 g) Cajun seasoning (see below) · make your own
- (30 ml) olive oil(divided)Shop →
- chili flakes(to taste)Shop →
- salt(to taste)Shop →
- pepper(to taste)Shop →
- fresh basil(for garnish)Shop →
- Parmesan cheese(finely grated, as desired)
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Then, heat a pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Cook the chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Then, heat a pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Cook the chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
- 2
As your chicken cooks, add the tomatoes in a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until the tomatoes break down.
As your chicken cooks, add the tomatoes in a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until the tomatoes break down.
- 3
Once the chicken is finished cooking, set it aside on a plate. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chili flakes. Cook for 30-40 seconds.
Once the chicken is finished cooking, set it aside on a plate. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chili flakes. Cook for 30-40 seconds.
- 4
Add the tomatoes and bring the mixture up to a simmer. Season with salt and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Cook on medium heat until the sauce reduces and has a thick consistency.
Add the tomatoes and bring the mixture up to a simmer. Season with salt and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Cook on medium heat until the sauce reduces and has a thick consistency.
- 5
As the sauce cooks, cook the spaghetti as per package directions.
As the sauce cooks, cook the spaghetti as per package directions.
- 6
When the sauce has reached a thick and rich consistency, toss in the spaghetti and mix well. Top with Cajun chicken, fresh basil and parmesan cheese and serve hot!
When the sauce has reached a thick and rich consistency, toss in the spaghetti and mix well. Top with Cajun chicken, fresh basil and parmesan cheese and serve hot!
Notes
- •Adjust the cajun seasoning to your taste. The more you add the spicier it will be. Be careful not to over-spice the pasta which may cause fresh flavours of the tomatoes and basil to be suppressed. Skip step 2 if you are using leftover marinara sauce
Did you make this recipe? Tag @cooking.with.anadi on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithanadi
Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen
Recipe history
- April 16, 2026 — Reworked and refreshed for the 2026 relaunch — new photography, restructured and standardized ingredients & instructions.
Filed under
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