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This tasty copycat recipe brings a fan-favorite chicken and pasta dish right into your own kitchen! Cheesecake Factory copycat Louisiana Cajun chicken pasta is a 35-minute meal that will have you scooping up a second helping. The chicken is coated with a delicious mix of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan, creating a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender meat inside. This Louisiana chicken pasta recipe brings the rich flavors of Cajun cuisine to your table with perfectly seasoned chicken and a creamy, spicy New Orleans sauce. Inspired by a favorite (and very popular dish) from Cheesecake Factory, you’re going to love making this at home!
Make this easy Cheesecake Factory copycat Louisiana Cajun chicken pasta recipe with its creamy sauce, crispy chicken, and tender pasta.
You’ve got to try my chicken stroganoff, this homemade hamburger, or rasta pasta if you like Louisiana Cajun chicken pasta.
Why You’ll Love It
Simple ingredients: This cheesecake factory Louisiana chicken pasta recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients and doesn’t require a special trip to the grocery store.
Quick and easy: Despite its complex flavors, this dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Comfort food: The creamy Cajun sauce combined with tender pasta and vegetables creates a comforting and indulgent meal that everyone will love.
Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Tender and lean, perfect for absorbing the bold Cajun flavors.
Cajun seasoning: The dish’s star, adding that signature spicy, smoky Cajun kick.
Eggs: Acts as a binding agent to help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.
Panko breadcrumbs: Add a crunchy texture that complements the tender chicken.
Freshly shredded parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, nutty flavor to the overall taste of your Louisiana chicken pasta.
Bow tie pasta: Holds the creamy sauce well, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
Baby Bella mushrooms: Adds an earthy flavor and meaty texture to the pasta.
Red and yellow bell peppers: Bright and sweet, they add color and crunch to the dish.
Heavy whipping cream: Adds a luxurious, creamy texture to the sauce.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Enhances the sauce with a subtle savory flavor without overpowering it.
How to Make Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Season: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
Breading station: Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with a mix of breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
Dredge: Dip chicken pieces in flour, dip in eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs. Place on a plate.
Cook: Heat vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Fry chicken per side. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside. Clean the large skillet.
Cook pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente, drain, and set aside.
Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in the same skillet. Cook mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions until tender. Add garlic and cook. Season and transfer vegetables to a bowl.
Make roux: Melt butter in the skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux.
Add liquids: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, whisking to combine.
Finish sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese and Cajun seasoning. Cook until thickened. Season with Kosher salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning.
Combine: Add cooked pasta and sautéed vegetables to the sauce, stirring to combine.
Substitutions and Variations
Protein swaps: Sauté shrimp, chicken thighs, or andouille sausage instead of chicken. You could use rotisserie chicken and add it at the end of cooking.
Store-bought sauce: Don’t want to make the cream sauce? Spoon in a jar of garlic alfredo sauce instead to this recipe. It will have a different taste but still be delicious.
Pasta alternative: Substitute whole-grain or gluten-free pasta for a healthier alternative.
Vegetables: Add in asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, spinach, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, sun-dried or diced tomatoes, or cauliflower.
Fresh herbs: Add freshly chopped parsley, basil, or cilantro for a pop of freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with some jalapeno corn dogs, a batch of fish nachos, or my Mexican corn nachos.
Main: Serve your Cajun chicken as the main, with a fresh salad, garlic bread, and some grilled veggies.
Dessert: End with lemon ricotta cake or my easy cheesecake puff pastry tart.
How to Store Copycat Cajun Chicken Pasta
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing leftovers.
Reheat: Reheat on the stove with a little chicken broth or cream to thin the sauce.
Top Tips
Check cooking time: This will vary depending on thickness. If you can, use thin-cut chicken breasts for this recipe, as they cook quickly.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet: Fry the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure each piece cooks evenly and gets a nice, crispy crust. You can use multiple skillets but I find it’s easier to use one and clean in between steps.
Use fresh ingredients: Freshly grated Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper make a big difference in flavor.
Proper dredging: Make sure the chicken is well-coated at each step (flour, egg and breadcrumbs) for the best texture and flavor.
Maintain oil temperature: Keep the oil at a steady medium-high heat to ensure the chicken cooks evenly without burning.
Cheesecake Factory Cajun Chicken Pasta FAQs
Sauté the vegetables until tender to maintain some crunch and vibrant color.
If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer until it’s thick enough. Alternatively, mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the sauce.
Absolutely! Store-bought Cajun seasoning works great, but you can also make your blend for a personalized touch.
Panko breadcrumbs provide an extra crispy texture, but you can use regular breadcrumbs if that’s what you have on hand.
Cheesecake Factory Louisiana Chicken Pasta Recipe
Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta – Cheesecake Factory Copycat
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ Teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
- 1 Teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ Cup all purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ Cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ Cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ½ Cup vegetable oil, for frying
For the Pasta:
- 10 Ounces bowtie pasta
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 Clove garlic, minced
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- ¼ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
- parsley, fresh chopped, optional for serving
For the Cajun Cream Sauce:
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1½ Cups heavy whipping cream
- ¾ Cup chicken broth, low-sodium
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Set aside.
- Create a breading station with 3 shallow bowls or rimmed plates. Add flour to the first bowl, whisk the eggs in the second, and combine breadcrumbs and parmesan in the third bowl.
- Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, then into the eggs, and finally coat the chicken in the breadcrumbs. Place each piece of coated chicken on a plate.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. Remove chicken from the skillet to a clean plate and set aside. Clean out your skillet before proceeding to the next steps.
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions. Cook for 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Season with salt and pepper and then remove vegetables to a plate.
Make the Cajun Cream Sauce:
- Melt butter in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth and whisk to combine.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and Cajun seasoning. Allow the sauce to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and more Cajun seasoning, if desired.
- Add cooked pasta and vegetables to the sauce and stir to combine.
To Serve:
- Slice the chicken and layer on top of the Cajun pasta.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and more parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t overcrowd the skillet: Fry the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure each piece cooks evenly and gets a nice, crispy crust. You can use multiple skillets but I find it’s easier to use one and clean in between steps.
Use fresh ingredients: Freshly grated Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper make a big difference in flavor.
Proper dredging: Make sure the chicken is well-coated at each step (flour, egg and breadcrumbs) for the best texture and flavor.
Maintain oil temperature: Keep the oil at a steady medium-high heat to ensure the chicken cooks evenly without burning.
Nutrition
This Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta is a quick, 35-minute meal that will have you coming back for seconds. The chicken is coated in a delectable blend of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan, delivering a crispy crust that perfectly complements the tender, juicy meat. Enriched with the bold, spicy flavors of Cajun cuisine, this dish features perfectly seasoned chicken and a rich, creamy sauce that brings a taste of the South right to your table.
Other Quick Recipes to Try
- Make a restaurant-quality tortellini with garlic and parmesan steak brimming with flavor.
- This ever-popular chicken Caesar wrap recipe with avocado really hits the lunch cravings.
- Homemade tuna helper is a cost-effective, creamy, quick lunch or dinner option kids will love!
- Spam fried rice is another easy, flavor-loaded recipe that is great for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Spicy and savory salmon bowls have all the favorite sushi-style ingredients like mayo, rice, and veggies – so fresh and delicious.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
We made the Cajun chicken pasta, and it tasted just like the restaurant version! So flavorful.
I tried the Louisiana Cajun chicken pasta last night, and wow, it was amazing! The crispy chicken with the creamy, spicy sauce was restaurant-quality. My family loved it so much they went for seconds.
One of my favorite dishes at Cheesecake Factory! It was a hit at home.