Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, sautéed bell peppers, and al dente penne pasta in a rich and spicy creamy broth. This hearty soup is seasoned with Cajun spices and smoked paprika for a slightly smoky kick, making it perfect for chilly days or whenever you crave a warming, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Poultry
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2–3 pieces)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
Dry Goods & Spices
- 1 cup uncooked penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Oils & Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent, which helps build the flavor base of the soup.
- Add Garlic and Peppers: Stir in the minced garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Continue sautéing for another 3-4 minutes until the peppers soften and the garlic is fragrant.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika to infuse layers of flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through.
- Add Broth and Boil: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, which will start to develop the soup base.
- Cook Pasta and Corn: Once boiling, add the uncooked penne pasta and corn. Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta reaches al dente texture.
- Finish with Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and gently heat the soup through for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen corn depending on availability; canned corn works fine after draining.
- For more heat, add cayenne pepper or increase the amount of Cajun seasoning.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling.
- To make this soup gluten-free, substitute the penne pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken soup, creamy chicken pasta soup, spicy chicken soup, one pot meal, comforting soup, Cajun seasoning, creamy pasta soup
