Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup Recipe
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, spicy Cajun seasoning, creamy broth, and bite-sized pasta. Perfect for a cozy meal, it brings together savory ingredients with a smooth texture and a hint of spice for a satisfying soup experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern, Cajun
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 5 cups chicken stock (or 4 cups chicken stock + 1 cup water)
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream, at or close to room temperature
Pasta
- 1 cup ditalini or other small pasta, dry
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts or tenders
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, at room temperature
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once melted, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions are tender and fragrant. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Add Liquids: Remove the pot from heat, then stir in the chicken stock, undrained diced tomatoes, and heavy cream. Return the pot to the heat, bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat to reach a rapid simmer.
- Cook Pasta: Add the dry ditalini pasta to the simmering soup and stir well to combine. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly and scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking or burning.
- Season Chicken: While the pasta cooks, sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts or tenders, ensuring all sides are well coated.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and swirl to coat the pan. Place the seasoned chicken into the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden brown. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and allow it to cool enough to handle, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Add Cheese and Chicken: Reduce heat under the Dutch oven to low and remove from heat briefly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined. Return to low heat and incorporate the chopped chicken pieces. Let the soup simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, garnish with sliced green onions if desired, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts or tenders depending on your preference for texture and cooking time.
- For best melting and flavor, bring Parmesan cheese to room temperature before adding.
- Maintain stirring during pasta cooking to avoid sticking and burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Cajun seasoning can be adjusted for spice level according to taste.
- Neutral oil options include canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken soup, creamy pasta soup, chicken pasta soup recipe, Cajun seasoning, creamy chicken soup
