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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta

    Published: Nov 11, 2021 · Modified: Mar 27, 2023 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Creamy Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta is an easy yet delicious dish made of chicken, juicy shrimp (prawns), and loads of garlic, cheese, and tomatoes.

    It is the perfect dish when you want a scrumptious dinner quickly put together.

    Ready in 25 minutes, this pasta with chicken and prawns is perfect for a weekday meal or a lazy Sunday lunch!

    Cajun Chicken and shrimp pasta served in a bowl with dill and basil leaves.

    Same as Creamy Prawn Pasta, I make this quick and easy dish with tiger prawns for extra juiciness.

    Shrimp is one of my favorite seafood to mix with pasta, and this Cajun Shrimp Chicken Pasta is a great way to eat it.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • This delicious Shrimp and Chicken Cajun Pasta is ready in just 25 minutes, a perfect weekday meal for busy nights.
    • It is versatile, you can use any type of pasta to combine with your favorite shrimp to make this creamy pasta dish.
    • The leftovers would keep for up to three days when refrigerated.
    • This pasta is also freezer-friendly. Make sure you use fresh prawns and chicken meat if you want to freeze the leftovers.

    How to Clean and Prepare the Prawns?

    Remove the prawn head by holding the prawn by the body with one hand and then firmly grasp the prawn's head with your other hand. 

    Peel off the shell and then peel off the remainder of the prawn's outer layer.

    Pull the legs off using your fingers, from its underside.

    Then pull off the tail, firmly holding the body of the prawn with one hand and grabbing the prawn tail with your other hand.

    Devein the prawn with the help of a sharp small knife.

    Cut a small line that runs down the length of the prawn's back and use the tip of the knife to pull out the vein.

    You can also watch the short video attached to the recipe card to show how to peel and devein raw prawns.

    Once you have your prawns shelled and deveined, you can keep them in the freezer for up to three months to use later in delicious recipes such as Chorizo and Prawn Pasta or Creamy Shrimp Pasta.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    Ingredients you need for making cajun chicken and prawn pasta
    • Prawns - Fresh raw tiger prawns are the best option, they're big and juicy and they taste amazing. Buy fresh prawns with shells and heads, if you can. However, peeled and deveined prawns make life easier. For a convenient alternative, use regular raw prawns, they're smaller but cheaper, and they still taste great.
    • Chicken - You can use breast or thigh meat for this pasta recipe. The leftovers from Baked Chicken Leg Quarters also work great!
    • Peppers - I prefer using green Turkish peppers but Spanish Padron peppers or bell peppers would also do the job.
    • Cajun Spices - It is a great seasoning for fish, chicken, and meat and is made of salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Make your own or buy ready-made from supermarkets.
    • Garlic - Fresh garlic is a great flavoring that adds sweetness and nuttiness to dishes. Turn it into a paste with a Mortar and Pestle or grate it using a Microplane Zester Grater. I use two large or three small fresh garlic cloves for this recipe.
    • Double cream - It is very similar to heavy cream. You can substitute it with whipping cream or milk and butter.
    • Cheese - No pasta is complete without cheese. Use stilton, gorgonzola, or Roquefort along with parmesan and cheddar, to enrich the sauce and give a sharp umami flavor. Adjust the amount of cheese to your taste.
    • Fresh herbs - The best herbs to pair with seafood are dill, parsley, tarragon, chervil, and chives. Use a mixture of a few or just one of them to add a delicate, sharp punch to your pasta.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    It is very easy to make this spicy Chicken and Shrimp Cajun Pasta.

    However, to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Marinate the Prawns

    Mix olive oil and cajun spices in a bowl and then add the prawns, mix until the prawns are nicely covered with spiced olive oil.

    Set them aside and then let them marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

    Raw tiger prawns shelled, cut in halves and marinated with olive oil and cajun spices.

    Marinate the Chicken

    Same as the prawns, mix the chicken pieces with olive oil and cajun spices and set them aside.

    Marinated chicken pieces with olive oil and cajun spices in a bowl.

    Put some water to boil for pasta before starting the sauce.

    Make the Sauce

    To make the sauce, place a large pan or wok on medium heat and then melt the butter.

    When the butter starts sizzling, add the shrimp and then cook for a minute, until they turn pink and start to curl.

    Sautéing the prawns in a pan with butter.

    Don't be tempted to cook the shrimp any longer as they will cook more later with the sauce.

    Remove them to a plate and then set them aside.

    Sautéed prawns in a bowl.

    Sauté the chicken pieces for five minutes or until they are thoroughly cooked, and place them on the same plate with the prawns.

    The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

    Sautéing the chicken pieces in a pan with butter.

    Add the garlic to the same pan and then quickly sauté for 30 seconds with the remaining butter and then add the peppers.

    Sautéing the peppers with butter in a pan

    Sauté peppers for another minute and then add the tomatoes (and chilies if using).

    Cook the tomatoes until soft, for about a couple of minutes.

    chopped tomatoes added to the pan with sautéed peppers

    The water for the pasta should be boiling at this point.

    Add plenty of salt to boiling water and then add your pasta.

    Assuming that you are using dried pasta which usually takes 10 to 12 minutes.

    If you are using fresh pasta, start cooking it later.

    When the tomatoes are softened, add the double cream, salt, and pepper.

    Reduce the cream for a few minutes and then add the blue cheese (optional) along with the lemon juice.

    double cream added to the pan with peppers and tomatoes

    Cook for a few more minutes, stirring until the blue cheese (if using) melts into the creamy sauce.

    Add the rest of the cheese, chopped herbs, shrimp, and chicken last minute, just before adding the cooked pasta into the sauce.

    cooked pasta mixed with the sauce and sautéed chicken and prawns

    Stir well until nicely combined and then remove it from the heat.

    cooked pasta is mixed with the sauce, cooked prawns and chicken pieces

    Serve this deliciously creamy shrimp cajun pasta with some more grated cheese and chopped herbs along with a bowl of leaf salad or Rocket Salad with Parmesan.

    freshly cooked cajun chicken and prawn pasta served in a bowl

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • Don't overcook the chicken or shrimp: Cook the chicken and shrimp just until they are no longer pink, as overcooking them can result in a tough and rubbery texture.
    • Cook the pasta al dente: Cook the pasta until it is al dente (cooked but still firm to the bite) so that it holds its shape and texture in the final dish.
    • Use a large pan or pot: To ensure that the chicken, shrimp, and vegetables cook evenly, use a large pan or pot so that they have enough room to spread out.
    • Always keep some of the pasta cooking water while making the sauce. If the sauce gets too thick while you cook it, add some pasta water to make it creamy again.
    • Add the pasta to the sauce: Rather than adding the sauce to the pasta, add the pasta to the sauce and cook for an additional minute or two. This will allow the pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

    What to Serve with Cajun Chicken and Prawn Pasta?

    There are many side dishes that can complement this delicious pasta dish.

    Here are some ideas:

    • Crusty bread: Serve with some warm, crusty bread such as Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread or Turkish Pide Bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
    • Green salad: A simple salad such as Lebanese Fattoush Salad or Rocket and Parmesan Salad can balance out the richness of the pasta.
    • Roasted potatoes: Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes seasoned with rosemary and garlic make a great addition to the meal.
    • Roasted vegetables: Honey Roasted carrots and Parsnips or Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts make a great side dish that adds some extra flavor and texture.

    Recipe FAQs

    What goes well with prawns?

    Prawns are great to mix with pasta, but there are many other ways to enjoy this popular seafood. You can make cheesy and spicy Baked Prawns (Karides Guvec) or you can add them to your Fish Pie mixture.
    You can make a prawn cocktail, pasta sauce, BBQ Garlic Butter Prawns, or just add them to salads. 

    What pasta shape to use?

    I prefer using long-shaped pasta such as linguini, spaghetti, fettuccine, or tagliatelle but you can use what you have in your pantry.

    How to store the leftovers?

    You can keep the leftover Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
    Alternatively, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Related Recipes

    For more great seafood recipes why not try:

    • Calamari fritti served with lemon wedges
      Calamari Fritti - Crispy Fried Calamari
    • panko crusted baked cod
      Baked Cod With Panko
    • salmon quiche with spinach
      Salmon and Spinach Quiche
    • fish sticks cooked in an air fryer
      Fish Sticks In Air Fryer

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this creamy Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun! 

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    creamy Cajun Chicken and prawn pasta served with a bowl of pasta

    Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta

    Ayla Clulee
    Juicy tiger prawns and chicken pieces marinated in cajun spices meet with creamy and garlicky sauce in this delicious pasta dish.
    5 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 945 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 cheese grater
    • 1 Saucepan
    • 1 wok with lid
    • 1 Rubber spatula
    • 1 measuring spoons

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 250 g tiger or king prawns (shelled and deveined)
    • 200 g chicken thighs (small diced)
    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon cajun spice
    • 10 g butter
    • 1 Turkish chilli (or ½ green bell pepper or few green Spanish padron peppers) (sliced)
    • 2 medium tomatoes (small diced)
    • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
    • 1 red chilli (finely chopped, optional)
    • 200 ml double cream or heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 50 g blue cheese (optional)
    • 100 g grated cheddar cheese
    • 50 g grated parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoon chopped herbs such as parsley, dill, tarragon, chives or chervil
    • 400 g pasta of your choice

    Instructions
     

    • Mix olive oil and cajun spices in a bowl and add the prawns, mix until prawns are nicely covered with spiced olive oil. Set them aside.
    • Same as the prawns, mix the chicken pieces with olive oil and cajun spices and set them aside, and let them marinate while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
    • Put some water to boil for pasta before starting the sauce.
    • To make the sauce, place a large pan or wok on medium heat and melt the butter.
    • When the butter starts sizzling, add the prawns and cook for a minute, until they turn pink and start to curl. Don't be tempted to cook any longer as they will cook more later with the sauce.
    • Remove the prawns to a plate and set them aside to use later.
    • Using the same pan, sauté the chicken pieces for five minutes or until they are thoroughly cooked, and place them on the same plate with prawns. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
    • Add the garlic to the same pan and quickly sauté for 30 seconds with the remaining butter and then add the peppers.
    • Sauté peppers for another minute and then add the tomatoes (and chilies if using).
    • Cook the tomatoes until soft, for about a couple of minutes, and then add the double cream, salt, and pepper.
    • The water for the pasta should be boiling at this point. Add plenty of salt to boiling water and add your pasta in. (Assuming that you are using dried pasta which usually takes 10 to 12 minutes. If you are using fresh pasta, start cooking it later).
    • Reduce the cream down for a few minutes and then add the blue cheese (optional) along with the lemon juice.
    • Cook for a few more minutes, stirring until the blue cheese(if using) melts into the creamy sauce before adding the cooked pasta.
    • Add the rest of the cheese, chopped herbs, chicken, and shrimp last minute.
    • Stir all well together until nicely combined and then remove the pan from the heat.
    • Serve with some more grated cheese and chopped herbs.

    Video

    Notes

    • This delicious shrimp pasta is ready in just 25 minutes, a perfect weekday meal for busy nights.
    • Always keep some of the pasta cooking water while making the sauce. If the sauce gets too thick while you cook it, add some pasta water to make it creamy again.
    • Don't be tempted to cook the prawns any longer than stated as they will cook more later with the sauce.
    • The cooking time for the chicken pieces varies depending on their size.
    • The leftovers would keep for up to three days when refrigerated.
    • Make sure you use fresh prawns and chicken meat if you want to freeze the leftovers.
    • You can watch the short video attached to the recipe card if you want to learn how to peel and devein raw prawns.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 945kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 42gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 221mgSodium: 1385mgPotassium: 780mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2847IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 403mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carole

      December 22, 2021 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Smells as good as it tastes. Will be making again soon.

      Reply
    2. Faruq

      September 10, 2022 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is fantastic! I didn’t change a thing and they turned out great! Definitely a keeper.

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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