You can have this creamy and comforting pasta with chicken on the table in just 30 minutes and best of all, it all cooks in one pot — you won’t even need to boil water first! It’s packed with tender chicken thighs, bell peppers, and onions, and finished off with a creamy tomato sauce.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 30 min |
| Active: | 30 min |
| Yield: | 4 to 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 medium green bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 12 ounces smooth penne (see Cook’s Note)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 6 ounces cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
- Kosher salt
- 4 scallions, sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken just starts to change color and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes.
- Add the peppers and onions and cook until they just begin to release some of their juices, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute.
- Add the pasta, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened and reduced by about half, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until the cream cheese is combined and melted. Don’t worry if the sauce looks runny, it will thicken as it sits. Top with sliced scallions.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 496 |
| Total Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Protein | 29 g |
| Cholesterol | 100 mg |
| Sodium | 1060 mg |
Reviews
Love this recipe….. Has become a Regular in my Home
Thinking Louisiana I add celery with the onion and bell peppers. Gotta have that Trinity!
I also added 12oz of Andouille with the pound of chicken thigh. It’s not too much meat. The flavor pops and the presentation is much prettier.
I also added 12oz of Andouille with the pound of chicken thigh. It’s not too much meat. The flavor pops and the presentation is much prettier.
This dish is amazing and definitely a family favorite! The only thing I have to say is that it takes a lot longer than 30 minutes to have this meal on the table. Maybe it’s just me, but there is a lot of chopping involved before you can even begin cooking! Worth every moment, though!
Quick, easy and flavorful recipe. A family favorite.
Came out great and was quick to make with easy clean up. Definitely plan to add this our weeknight dinner plans.
Delicious! I changed the chicken for sweet Italian sausage and beef broth, fun to experiment with different proteins
Our whole family loved this! Followed recipe exactly except used a little more chicken (full package, 1.89 pounds) plus some andouille sausage and spinach. Could have used full 16 oz box of pasta. Used smooth ziti and boiled for 10 minutes based on the box instructions for al dente. The sauce was smooth and flavorful, like a Cajun creamy Mac n cheese. Wouldn’t change a thing!
Delicious. Substitute chicken for andouille sausage.
Fun for me. I love it being a one pot meal.
I did half Cajun sausage and yummy is the description.
I did half Cajun sausage and yummy is the description.
Dee-licious!!! Next time I will add some andouille sausage. I used 8 ounces of cream cheese, all the pasta and with the diced tomatoes an extra can of Rotel tomatoes. Husband loved it!!!!