If you love the bold, creamy, spicy pasta from Chili’s Grill & Bar, this Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta is about to become your new favorite comfort food dinner. Tender juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken is served over pasta tossed in a rich parmesan cream sauce with sautéed peppers and just the right amount of heat. It’s restaurant-quality, easy to make at home, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.

Creamy Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta with grilled chicken, penne pasta, parmesan cream sauce, and bell peppers in a silver skillet on a marble counter. — This creamy copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta is loaded with bold Cajun flavor, tender chicken, colorful peppers, and rich parmesan cream sauce for the ultimate comfort food dinner.

This creamy Cajun chicken pasta recipe tastes just like the Chili’s classic — maybe even better. The smoky Cajun seasoning, silky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta create a flavor-packed meal the whole family will request again and again.

Whether you’re craving a restaurant copycat recipe, a comforting pasta dinner, or an easy chicken pasta recipe with bold flavor, this one checks every box.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy restaurant copycat recipe
Ready in about 30 minutes
Creamy, cheesy, and full of Cajun flavor
Better than takeout
Perfect for weeknight dinners
Family-friendly with adjustable spice level
Great for meal prep leftovers

What Does Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta Taste Like?

This pasta is rich, creamy, smoky, slightly spicy, and incredibly comforting. The Cajun seasoning gives the chicken a bold kick while the parmesan cream sauce balances everything with velvety richness. Sweet sautéed bell peppers add freshness and texture that make this dish irresistible.

Ingredients

Cajun Chicken

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta

12 ounces penne pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Cream Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste

How to Make Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and let rest before slicing.
In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add sliced peppers and sauté until tender-crisp. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
Stir in parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth and creamy.
Add cooked pasta and toss until fully coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Slice the chicken and serve over the creamy Cajun pasta.
Garnish with extra parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.

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Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta

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Author: Chrissi | firsthomelovelife.com
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4–6 SERVINGS 1x

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Description

This creamy Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta is packed with juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken, tender penne pasta, colorful bell peppers, and a rich parmesan cream sauce. It tastes just like the restaurant favorite and comes together easily at home for the perfect comforting dinner recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pasta

12 ounces penne pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let rest before slicing.
In the same skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add sliced bell peppers and sauté until slightly tender. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
Stir in parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth and creamy.
Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Stir in reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Slice the chicken and serve over the creamy Cajun pasta.
Garnish with extra parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Freshly grated parmesan melts best for a silky smooth sauce.
Adjust the Cajun seasoning to make it more or less spicy.
Add shrimp for a delicious Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta variation.
Reheat leftovers with a splash of cream or milk to keep the sauce creamy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 MINUTES
Category: Dinner, DINNER | PASTA
Method: STOVETOP
Cuisine: American

Tips for the Best Cajun Chicken Pasta

Freshly grated parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded cheese.
Don’t overcook the chicken or it can dry out.
Reserve pasta water to help create a silky restaurant-style sauce.
Use blackened seasoning for even bolder flavor.
Add mushrooms or onions for extra texture.

Variations

Make It Spicier

Add extra Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper.

Add Shrimp

Swap half the chicken for Cajun shrimp for a seafood twist.

Lighten It Up

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.

Try Different Pasta

Fettuccine or bowtie pasta work beautifully too.

What to Serve with Cajun Chicken Pasta

This creamy pasta pairs perfectly with:

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta spicy?

It has a mild to medium heat level, but you can easily adjust the spice to your liking.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. The sauce reheats well, making it great for meal prep.

What kind of pasta does Chili’s use?

Penne pasta is the classic choice for this recipe.

Can I use store-bought Cajun seasoning?

Absolutely. Use your favorite blend or homemade Cajun seasoning.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta brings all the bold restaurant flavor right into your kitchen with simple ingredients and easy steps. The creamy parmesan sauce, smoky Cajun chicken, and tender pasta make this one of those dinners everyone gets excited about.

It’s cozy, flavorful, and tastes like something you ordered at your favorite restaurant — except it’s homemade and even better.

If you love easy pasta dinners and restaurant copycat recipes, this creamy Cajun chicken pasta deserves a spot on your weekly menu.