Looking for a cozy comfort meal that’s spicy, creamy, and easy to make? This Creamy Parmesan Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup is the perfect bowl of bold flavor and soul-warming goodness. It’s packed with tender chicken, Cajun spices, pasta, and rich Parmesan—all simmered together in a creamy broth that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
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Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Soup
- Bold Cajun Flavor – Spicy, savory, and addictively good.
- Quick & Easy – Only 30 minutes start to finish.
- One Pot Meal – Less mess, easy cleanup.
- Customizable – Adjust the spice, add veggies, or change the pasta.
- Family Friendly – Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing dinner guests.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this creamy Cajun soup:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, boneless & skinless
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz pasta (ditalini, shells, or penne)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (optional)
- Cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken
Heat oil in a large pot. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning and cook on both sides until golden brown (2–4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, melt butter. Add diced onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
3. Add Garlic and Seasoning
Stir in chopped garlic, thyme, and more Cajun seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Build the Soup Base
Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until pasta is al dente (about 7 minutes).
5. Shred and Return the Chicken
Shred the cooked chicken and return it to the pot.
6. Make It Creamy
Turn off the heat. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
7. Finish and Garnish
Add lemon juice, parsley, and green onions. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper. Serve hot!
Serving Suggestions
Pair your creamy Cajun soup with:
- Crusty garlic bread
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt
✅ Tips & Variations
- Gluten-Free? Use gluten-free pasta.
- Spicy Kick? Add more cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Make Ahead? Yes! Refrigerate and reheat gently on the stove.
- No Cream? Sub with milk or coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Swap the Protein: Try shrimp, turkey, or sausage instead of chicken.
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- To Reheat: Warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream as needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Overcooking Pasta: It gets mushy! Cook it al dente in the soup, or even better, cook it separately and add it right before serving.
- Curdling Dairy: Add room-temp cream and Parmesan slowly at the very end, off the heat or on low, don’t boil it.
- Not Browning Chicken: Get a good sear on your chicken for deeper flavor.
- Bland Broth: Use good quality chicken broth and taste/adjust seasoning (like Cajun seasoning) as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Best pasta for this soup? A: Small shapes like ditalini, small shells, or orzo work well.
Q: Can I use different chicken? A: Yes! Chicken breasts, thighs, or shredded rotisserie chicken all work.
Q: How spicy is it? Can I change it? A: Depends on your Cajun seasoning. Adjust the amount or add cayenne for more heat, or pick a mild blend for less.
Q: Storing and reheating leftovers? A: Keeps 3-4 days in the fridge. Pasta might soften. Consider storing pasta separately or adding extra broth/cream when reheating.
Q: Can I add more veggies? A: Absolutely! Diced carrots, celery, bell peppers, or spinach are great additions.
Summary Card
Creamy Parmesan Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup
Bold Cajun flavor
Loaded with pasta & chicken
Rich, cheesy, and ultra creamy
Ready in just 30 minutes
✅ One pot meal & family friendly
Save this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!
Recipe Card for printable
Creamy Parmesan Cajun Chicken Pasta Soup
Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 | Calories: 520
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breasts/thighs
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz pasta
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tbsp parsley, 2 green onions
- Cayenne, salt, pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook seasoned chicken in oil, set aside.
- Sauté veggies in butter.
- Add garlic, thyme, Cajun seasoning.
- Add broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire, pasta, and bring to boil.
- Shred and return chicken.
- Stir in cream and Parmesan.
- Finish with lemon juice, parsley, and green onions. Serve hot
