Name: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish); Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish); 4 cups chicken broth; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, divided (1 tsp for chicken, remainder for soup); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; Salt and pepper, to taste; 8 oz penne pasta or any short pasta of choice

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Introduction

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, spicy Cajun seasoning, and creamy broth with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s an easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you crave a hearty soup with a kick.

A close-up of a creamy soup served in a white bowl with black outer rim, filled with three layers: at the base, a rich, thick, orange-tinted broth that looks smooth and velvety; in the middle layer, twisted rotini pasta with a light yellow color soaked in the broth; on top, pieces of shredded white chicken with a few small, diced red tomatoes scattered around, garnished with chopped green herbs and sprinkled with coarse black pepper and red pepper flakes. The bowl sits on a wooden table, part of a white marbled textured surface is visible next to it along with a gray and white striped cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz penne pasta or any short pasta of choice
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning.
Step 2: Dice the onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Mince the garlic cloves.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Step 4: In the same pot, add the onion, red and green bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Step 6: Add the pasta to the pot and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 7: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
Step 8: Add the cooked chicken back to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes to heat through.
Step 9: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeño when cooking the vegetables.
Use rotini or shells if you prefer a different pasta shape that holds the soup better.
Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture and richer flavor.
For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the cream from curdling. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup thickens too much.

How to Serve

A bowl filled with a creamy, light orange soup with small shell pasta floating throughout. On top, there are chunks of white cooked chicken and pieces of orange carrot, mixed with small green parsley leaves scattered around and a few black pepper flakes sprinkled on the surface. The bowl is white and placed on a wooden surface with a silver spoon lying next to it. In the background, there is some bread wrapped in cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup in advance?

Yes, this soup can be made a day ahead. The flavors develop well overnight. Just reheat gently before serving and add any fresh garnish then.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Absolutely. If using pre-cooked chicken, add it in during the final simmer to warm through without overcooking.