This One Pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Made in just one pot in under 35 minutes, it features pan-seared chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, poblano peppers, and a creamy ranch sauce. The combination of spices, cheese, and fresh herbs creates a rich and satisfying meal that’s sure to please the entire family.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons salted butter

• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed

• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

• 1 yellow onion, sliced

• 2 poblano peppers, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

• 3-4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

• 1 lb short-cut pasta (such as bow-tie)

• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• Chili flakes (optional)

• 2 cups whole milk

• 2 ounces cream cheese

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook the Chicken:

   • In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt butter and add cubed chicken along with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and crispy. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

2. Cook the Vegetables:

   • In the same pot, add onions, peppers, garlic, and 2-3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Cook until the vegetables soften.

3. Add the Pasta:

   • Toss in the pasta, parsley, and 2 cups of water. Stir often, making sure the pasta doesn’t stick, and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes.

4. Make the Sauce:

   • Stir in the milk, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce is creamy and the pasta is fully cooked.

5. Finish the Dish:

   • Add the cooked chicken back into the pot and gently stir to combine everything. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and parmesan.

Nutrients

The estimated nutritional values for this recipe are:

• Calories: 662 kcal per serving

• Total Fat: 30 g

  • Saturated Fat: 13 g

• Cholesterol: 90 mg

• Sodium: 1,200 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 65 g

  • Dietary Fiber: 4 g

  • Sugars: 4 g

• Protein: 39 g

These values are based on an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

Why This Recipe Works

One Pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta works so well because it combines hearty, flavorful ingredients in one easy-to-make dish. The Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick to the chicken, while the poblano peppers bring a mild, earthy heat that’s balanced by the creaminess of the ranch sauce. The parmesan and cream cheese melt into the sauce, creating a rich and velvety texture that clings to the pasta, ensuring every bite is creamy and satisfying.

The addition of fresh parsley brightens the dish and adds a pop of color, while the ranch dressing ties everything together with its smooth, tangy flavor. The fact that everything is made in one pot means less mess and less time spent cleaning up, making it perfect for busy nights when you want to spend more time enjoying your meal than cleaning dishes.

The Chicken: Flavorful and Crispy

The chicken is the star of this dish. Cubing the chicken breasts or thighs and seasoning them with Cajun seasoning allows the meat to absorb all those spicy, savory flavors. Pan-searing the chicken in butter creates a crispy, flavorful exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender. After cooking the chicken for about 5 minutes until fully cooked, it’s removed from the pot and set aside, ready to be added back in later.

For a slightly different flavor, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are a bit more tender and juicy. Either way, the chicken acts as the perfect base for this flavorful dish, soaking up the spices and adding protein and richness.

The Vegetables: Poblano Peppers and Onion

In the same pot, the onions, poblano peppers, and garlic are sautéed. Poblano peppers bring a mild spice and a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the Cajun seasoning. Sautéing the onions and peppers until soft allows them to release their flavors, creating an aromatic base for the sauce.

The garlic is added towards the end to avoid burning, ensuring it infuses the dish with its savory aroma without becoming bitter. This vegetable mixture provides both texture and depth to the dish, balancing out the heat from the Cajun spices and adding sweetness from the onions.

The Pasta: Perfectly Cooked in One Pot

The pasta is cooked right in the same pot, absorbing all the delicious flavors from the vegetables and seasonings. Using short-cut pasta like bow-tie, penne, or rotini is ideal for this recipe, as the pasta holds onto the creamy sauce better. After adding the pasta, water, and fresh parsley, it’s stirred regularly to prevent sticking and cooked until it reaches the perfect al dente texture, about 8 minutes.

Once the pasta is cooked, it is fully infused with the flavorful base from the chicken and vegetables, ensuring every bite is packed with goodness.

The Creamy Sauce: A Rich and Velvety Finish

The sauce is what makes this dish incredibly indulgent. The combination of milk, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and parmesan cheese creates a smooth, creamy sauce that perfectly coats the pasta. The cream cheese adds a tangy richness, while the parmesan gives the sauce a nutty, savory depth. The ranch dressing ties everything together with its creamy, zesty flavor.

The sauce is mixed in after the pasta is cooked, allowing it to thicken and coat the pasta beautifully. As it simmers, the sauce becomes rich and velvety, ensuring every bite is indulgent and comforting.

Bringing Everything Together

Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, the cooked chicken is added back into the pot. The chicken, pasta, and sauce are gently stirred together, allowing all the flavors to combine. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top for a burst of color and flavor, and you can even add a sprinkle of extra parmesan for additional creaminess.

This dish is best served immediately while it’s still hot and creamy, making it a perfect weeknight meal that comes together in just one pot.

Serving Suggestions

One Pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side of crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce or a simple green salad to balance the richness of the pasta. A glass of white wine, like Chardonnay, would pair nicely with this dish, complementing the creamy sauce and spices.

For added heat, you can sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top or serve with a side of hot sauce. It’s the perfect dish for those who love a little kick to their pasta!

Why You’ll Love One Pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta

One Pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s quick to make and perfect for a busy weeknight. The balance of Cajun seasoning, creamy ranch sauce, and tender chicken makes it a comforting yet exciting meal. The fact that it’s made in one pot means less cleanup and more time enjoying the meal. It’s a satisfying, easy-to-make dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Conclusion

One Pot Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that combines creamy, cheesy goodness with a touch of spice. With tender, flavorful chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce, it’s a satisfying dish that comes together in no time. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a quick weeknight meal, this recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite. Try it tonight, and enjoy a delicious, easy-to-make meal that’s sure to impress!