Can I make this with gluten-free pasta?

Absolutely! Just choose your favorite gluten-free short pasta. You may need to adjust the cooking time and liquid amount slightly, as gluten-free pasta can behave differently, but the result is still delicious.

How spicy is this dish?

That depends mainly on your Cajun seasoning. Some blends are fiery, others are milder. If you’re cautious about heat, start with less—the ranch and cream will mellow the spice. You can always add more later.

Can I prep this ahead of time?

This dish is best fresh, but you can cook the chicken in advance and refrigerate it. When ready to finish the recipe, start from the pasta step, and add the pre-cooked chicken towards the end.

What if I don’t have ranch dressing?

Don’t stress—you can substitute with an herby Greek yogurt or sour cream mixed with some garlic powder, dill, and chopped chives. It won’t be quite the same, but the zesty creaminess will come through.

One Pot Creamy Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta Recipe

Name: One Pot Creamy Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 medium chicken breasts); 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cups (24 ounces / 720 g) chicken broth; 1 cup (238 g) heavy cream, room temperature; 16 ounces penne pasta, uncooked; ½ cup (120 g) ranch dressing; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning (remaining from above); 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded; ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated; Fresh parsley, for garnish

Description

This One Pot Creamy Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta is a deliciously bold and comforting dish made in just one pan. Juicy chicken is tossed with Cajun seasoning, then cooked together with tender penne pasta in a creamy Cajun ranch sauce. Finished with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, this crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner is ready in only 35 minutes—perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chicken

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 medium chicken breasts)
3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

For Cooking

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For the Pasta & Sauce

3 cups (24 ounces / 720 g) chicken broth
1 cup (238 g) heavy cream, room temperature
16 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
1/2 cup (120 g) ranch dressing
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (remaining from above)

For the Cheeses & Garnish

1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, grated
Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Season the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken cubes with 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning until each piece is evenly coated.
Brown the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Transfer the chicken to a plate, and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
Deglaze the Pan: In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate extra flavor.
Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and let cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Add Ranch and Seasonings: Stir in the ranch dressing, the remaining ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for another minute to allow the flavors to meld.
Add Cheeses: Remove the skillet from the heat. Add mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Combine & Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix until well combined with the pasta and sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Adjust the spice level by using more or less Cajun seasoning as desired.
For an extra creamy texture, add a bit more heavy cream or cheese.
You can substitute other pasta shapes such as rigatoni or fusilli if penne is unavailable.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 620
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 1200mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 66g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 120mg