Creamy, Spicy, Restaurant-Style Pasta You Can Make at Home

This bold and creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta brings the famous Cheesecake Factory dish straight into your kitchen — and honestly, it tastes even better homemade. Imagine tender Cajun-spiced chicken, sautéed peppers, mushrooms, and garlic tossed in a silky, rich cream sauce that clings perfectly to every piece of pasta.

It’s colorful, dramatic, comforting, and surprisingly quick to cook, which makes it a Pinterest-favorite and a staple for families who love big flavor without complicated steps.

Whether you’re craving restaurant-style comfort food, planning a cozy weeknight meal, or feeding your family something satisfying and hearty, this Cajun pasta delivers flavor in every bite.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Restaurant flavor at home
• Rich, velvety cream sauce
• Customizable heat level
• Ready in 30–35 minutes
• Perfect for pasta lovers, meal prep, and comfort-food nights

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🛒 Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to recreate this Cheesecake Factory classic:

Protein & Pasta

• 2 large chicken breasts (thin-sliced or halved lengthwise)
• 12 oz linguine or penne pasta

Seasoning Blend

• 1–1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning (to taste)
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt & black pepper

Veggies

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

Cream Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional for thinning)

For Serving

• Fresh parsley
• Extra Parmesan
• Red pepper flakes

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🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside. Reserve a little pasta water if you want to thin the sauce later.

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2. Season & sear the chicken

1. Pat chicken breasts dry.
2. Coat generously with Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear chicken for 4–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
5. Set aside and slice into strips.

Pro tip: A well-seared crust gives you BIG Cheesecake Factory flavor.

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3. Sauté the peppers, mushrooms & garlic

1. In the same skillet, melt butter.
2. Add sliced peppers and mushrooms; cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Let the veggies absorb all the Cajun flavors left in the pan — don’t skip this!

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4. Build the creamy Cajun sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium-low.
2. Pour in the heavy cream and stir.
3. Add Parmesan and stir until melted and smooth.
4. Add crushed red pepper flakes if you like extra spice.
5. Simmer 4–6 minutes to thicken.
6. Add a splash of pasta water for silky texture if needed.

This sauce should be glossy, rich, and thick enough to coat every noodle.

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5. Combine pasta + chicken + sauce

1. Add cooked pasta to the sauce.
2. Toss until every piece is coated.
3. Add sliced chicken back to the pan.
4. Let everything warm together for 1–2 minutes.

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6. Plate & garnish

Serve immediately with:

• Fresh parsley
• Extra Parmesan
• Red pepper flakes

Your bowl will look straight out of a Cheesecake Factory commercial.

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🔥 Variations & Custom Options

Protein swaps

• Cajun shrimp
• Grilled chicken
• Andouille sausage
• Blackened salmon

Veggie boosts

• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Broccoli florets

Lighter version

• Replace heavy cream with half-and-half
• Use grilled chicken instead of seared

Extra spicy

• Add cayenne
• Increase Cajun seasoning
• Add chipotle powder

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❄️ Storage & Reheating Tips

• Store up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce.
• Avoid microwaving on high — creamy sauces reheat best low and slow.

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🍽️ What to Serve With Cajun Chicken Pasta

This dish pairs beautifully with:

• Garlic bread
• A fresh Caesar or garden salad
• Roasted green beans or broccoli
• Parmesan roasted zucchini
• A glass of chilled white wine