Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup blends hearty Southern comfort with spicy Louisiana flavors. Robust ingredients and rich seasonings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave after the first delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound chicken breasts or tenders
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Green onions for garnish
Liquids, Seasonings, and Pasta:
- 5 cups chicken stock (or 4 cups stock + 1 cup water)
- 1 (14.5-ounces) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
Instructions
- In a dutch oven, melt butter and sauté diced onions with minced garlic for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant, incorporating one tablespoon of cajun seasoning to build a robust flavor base.
- Remove pot from heat, then carefully pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and heavy cream. Return to medium heat, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil before reducing to a steady simmer.
- Introduce pasta directly into the simmering liquid, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping. Cook for 9-11 minutes until pasta reaches al dente consistency.
- While pasta cooks, prepare chicken by coating with remaining cajun seasoning. Sear in a separate skillet with light oil over medium-high heat, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the soup. Reduce heat to low, gradually sprinkle in parmesan cheese, stirring until smoothly incorporated.
- Allow soup to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving hot.
Notes
- Customize Spice Level Adjust cajun seasoning quantity to match your heat tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Use gluten-free pasta and verify cajun seasoning doesn’t contain wheat ingredients for celiac-friendly version.
- Protein Swap Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for diverse dietary needs.
- Make-Ahead Magic Prepare soup base in advance and add pasta just before serving to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 512
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 128 mg