Healthier Cajun Chicken Pasta (gluten-free, whole grain options)

ByErin January 14, 2016June 18, 2020 UpdatedJune 18, 2020

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Recipe on Food Doodles.

This healthier Cajun chicken pasta has a milk and cheese-based sauce and can be made gluten-free or 100% whole grain.

Mr. Texanerin has been asking me to post this recipe since I first started the blog. I’ve always hesitated because I like to stick to sweets but after having had it recently in New Orleans, I felt compelled to share a healthier version. The version I used to make has 1/2 cup of heavy cream and clocks in at 935 calories per serving. I normally don’t care about fat content and calories but that seems a little over the top, doesn’t it?!

I’m not an expert or anything but I’m thinking Cajun chicken pasta isn’t Cajun or even authentic to Louisiana (someone correct me if I’m wrong!). Kind of like how stromboli didn’t originate from Italy but Philadelphia. Cajun chicken pasta strikes me as one of those meals started by restaurant chains. One that should have been called Cajun seasoned chicken pasta.

What we have here is an adapted version of my healthier fettuccine alfredo with some vegetables and Cajun-spiced bites of chicken.

I don’t care whether it’s authentic or not because it’s one of my favorite dinner dishes ever. I rarely make it because honestly, it’s not the quickest meal to make. I can say from experience that if you skip the vegetables, it reduces your prep time by 25 minutes. ;)

[tx_recipe]

Categories:

Gluten-free, Whole Grain,

Erin

I'm the recipe developer behind Texanerin Baking, where every recipe is thoroughly tested to ensure it works for everyone. Whether you're baking with traditional ingredients or need gluten-free or dairy-free options, you'll find treats that taste amazing - no matter how you make them.

52 Comments

Marisa says:

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We made this substituting shrimp for the chicken and zucchini noodles for the pasta. It was fantastic!!!!

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1. Erin says:
  
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  Yum! That sounds wonderful. Thanks for the tip! I’m so happy it came out well for you. :)
  
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sally M says:

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HI Always looking fore another delicious reipe–We dont like white sauce Would red sauce work and how much Thanks Sally

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1. Erin says:
  
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  Hi there! I’m not sure if that’d be so good. I’m guessing you wouldn’t be able to taste the Cajun spice through the flavorful red sauce. Or maybe you would! Here’s a recipe for Cajun chicken pasta with tomato sauce. :)
  
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Sue says:

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So…without the heavy cream about how many calories is this “healthier” version? You don’t say. Looks good, though…I’ll be trying.

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1. Erin says:
  
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  I hope you’ll enjoy it! I don’t have the calorie info but you can copy and paste the recipe here for that info, if you like. :)
  
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Sarah says:

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Any suggestions for a substitution for the mushrooms?

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1. Erin says:
  
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  You can just omit them! I usually do. Onions would also go well in this dish. I hope you’ll enjoy it. :)
  
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Jan Morgan says:

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This sounds delish…I may add onions to it as well, instead of 2 types of peppers

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1. Erin says:
  
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  I bet that’d be delicious! I hope you’ll enjoy it. :)
  
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