Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta | High-Protein Meal Prep
When it comes to quick & delicious meal prep, this one’s a winner.
This Cajun chicken pasta is a super-tasty way to pack in the protein. Made with a rich, creamy sauce and a healthy serving of veggies, it’s a great balanced meal to keep you full and feeling good all afternoon.
Plus, it’s easy to make up in a big batch so that you’re sorted for the week ahead. What more could you want?
- Batch cooking
- Variations and add-ins
- Equipment needed
- Creamy cajun chicken pasta recipe
- Perfect side dishes
- Dessert recipes you might like
- More recipes like this
Batch cooking
Batch cooking is simple. You take a meal that you’re making, let’s say it’s for your dinner, and you double or triple the recipe so you can store some for later. Align your containers next to your plate and serve it up as you serve up your dinner. Just remember to allow the dish to cool before you seal the box and pop it in the fridge.
The next day all you have to do is move your lunch from the fridge to the microwave, make sure it’s piping hot, and dive straight in.
For me, pasta is one of the best meals to batch cook. It’s cheap, quick and easy. One of the only problems is finding a pan big enough for all those servings.
How to package safely
Pre-cooked food should always be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated until you’re ready to eat it. So, make a note to stock up on your containers – you're gonna need ‘em.
How to reheat safely
To make sure it’s as good as the night before, when you reheat your pasta in the microwave add a couple of drops of water to help loosen it up. The steam from the water will not only help to bring your pasta back to life, but it’ll also provide even more heat.
Loosely cover your container and heat until your pasta is piping hot, stirring every minute or so. Just remember to blow on it before you tuck in to avoid the feeling of molten lava on your tongue.
Variations and add-ins
I’m all for sprucing up my meals. Eating the same thing but changing the protein or the veggies to keep things interesting, or to fit with your diet. Just bear in mind when you alter a recipe that the macros will also differ, so if you’re tracking, don’t forget to make these changes.
Make it veggie
While this recipe isn’t veggie, it doesn’t take many changes to get it there. Swap out the chicken for your go-to alternative – tofu or quorn pieces would go down a treat.
Make it vegan
No-meat Mondays are a must in my house, but it’s not getting in the way of enjoying a creamy pasta dish. First, swap the chicken for tofu or quorn or remove it altogether. Then swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock and swap cream cheese for a vegan alternative. Or if you’ve got a tin of coconut milk lingering in the back of your cupboard you can chuck some of that in. Just note, it’s thinner than cream cheese so you’ll likely need to use less for a similar creaminess.
Extra toppings
In terms of toppings, I can’t complain. But when I'm feeling boujee I like to throw in some tender stem broccoli at the last minute. And, I might be alone in this, but it’s not a bowl of pasta unless it’s covered in cheese – parmesan or cheddar, I'm not picky, but I won’t go without.
A pasta dish like this is also perfect for using up any bits and pieces in the fridge that need using up. Courgette, carrot, tomatoes, the bag of spinach that’s a day off going bad – get it all in the pan. The end of a chorizo ring or a rogue packet of pancetta – fry it off and throw it on top. You'll be hard pressed to find something that won’t work with this dish.
Equipment needed
As washing up is the worst part of preparing food, we’ve limited the equipment used to just one pan. Other than that, you’ll need:
- Large non-stick pan
- Large spoon for serving
- Airtight containers for food storage
Creamy cajun chicken pasta recipe
Servings: Serves 5
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 red onion
- 200 g mushrooms
- 1 red pepper
- 500 g chicken breast
- 1 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
- Pinch salt
- 500 g pasta
- 500 ml chicken stock
- 11 g light cream cheese
- Handful chopped chives
Instructions
First, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the red onion, mushrooms, and pepper strips and cook for a few minutes until softened. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add a little more olive oil to the pan if necessary and then add your chicken pieces. Fry until completely cooked through and no longer pink, then add the veg back in along with the Cajun seasoning and salt to taste. Stir well to combine.
Next add the pasta and chicken stock, cover the pan, and leave to simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir through the cream cheese to make a thick, creamy sauce. Serve immediately with chopped chives to garnish or portion up for your lunches later in the week. Smashed it.
| calories | 516 |
| totalFat | 8 |
| totalCarbohydrates | 71 |
| protein | 38 |
Perfect side dishes
Adding sides is the ultimate way to add a certain flare to your dinner, especially if you’re having the same thing for your lunch the next day.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
For an extra boost of protein alongside your pasta, add some of these delicious buffalo chicken wings to the table.
Macros: Calories: 243kcal, Protein: 20g, Carbs: 7g, Fat: 16g
Recipe here.
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
If boneless is more your style, swap the wings for popcorn chicken.
Macros: Calories: 347kcal, Protein: 43g, Carbs: 21g, Fat: 9g
Recipe here.
Mexican Grilled Corn
If your fridge is looking a little sparse for veggies to add to the pasta, go for this instead. Juicy corn on the cob topped with feta and the taste of Mexico – absolutely divine.
Macros: Calories: 176kcal, Protein: 4g, Carbs: 26g, Fat: 6g
Recipe here.
Dessert recipes you might like
Because no meal is complete without pudding.
Chocolate Cloud Pudding
Think mousse but high-protein and with just one key ingredient.
Macros: Calories: 48kcal, Protein: 8g, Carbs: 1g, Fat: 0g
Recipe here.
Cookie Dough
Cookie dough, syrup, ice cream and 27g of protein. You had me at cookie dough.
Macros: Calories: 363kcal, Protein: 27g, Carbs: 26g, Fat: 20g
Recipe here.
NYC Style Choc Chip Cookies
Cookies are an elite dessert. And I can’t be told otherwise. Gooey and full of chocolatey chunks. I’ll be getting involved with these.
Macros: Calories: 298kcal, Protein: 11g, Carbs: 17g, Fat: 19g
Recipe here.
Other recipes you might like
If pasta is your vibe, try these recipes too.
Creamy Sausage Pasta
Another creamy option, because – let's face it – it'd be rude not to.
Macros: Calories: 415kcal, Protein: 34g, Carbs: 48g, Fat: 5.8g
Recipe here.
Fajita Pasta Bake
Fajitas are always a good idea. And so is pasta. Need I say more?
Macros: Calories: 521kcal, Protein: 28g, Carbs: 62g, Fat: 16g
Recipe here.
BBQ Pulled Chicken Mac N Cheese
Mac ‘n’ cheese lovers, this one's for you.
Macros: Calories: 597kcal, Protein: 37g, Carbs: 51g, Fat: 21g
Recipe here.
