Description
Hearty Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup brings Southern comfort to your table with a spicy, rich blend of creamy broth and tender chicken. Bold Creole seasonings and perfectly cooked pasta create a comforting meal that satisfies deep hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breasts or tenders
- 1 cup dry ditalini or other small pasta
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 5 cups chicken stock (or 4 cups chicken stock + 1 cup water)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Introduce chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Incorporate one tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, stirring to awaken the spices’ aromatic profile.
- Remove pot from heat momentarily to prevent curdling. Pour in chicken stock, diced tomatoes with juices, and heavy cream. Return to heat, bringing to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Maintain a steamy consistency without aggressive bubbling.
- Introduce dry pasta, stirring thoroughly to prevent bottom adherence. Simmer for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring. Observe pasta absorbing the robust broth, gradually thickening the soup’s texture.
- Meanwhile, season chicken thoroughly with remaining Cajun seasoning. In a separate skillet heated to medium, add oil and cook chicken 3-5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to cutting board, allowing brief cooling before dicing into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- Lower Dutch oven’s heat. Temporarily remove from heat and fold in grated Parmesan until fully integrated. Introduce chopped chicken, stirring to distribute evenly. Maintain low simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into serving bowls, garnish with fresh green onion slices, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning quantity to suit your heat tolerance, ranging from mild to fiery hot.
- Choose pasta shapes like penne or rotini that hold sauce well and create delightful texture variations in the soup.
- Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for diverse dietary preferences.
- Use half-and-half or coconut milk for lighter versions, maintaining the creamy consistency while reducing calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg