Description
Creamy parmesan cajun chicken pasta soup delivers a spicy southern comfort in one hearty bowl. Simmering with bold flavors and rich textures, this Louisiana-inspired dish promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 1 cup celery (diced)
- 1 cup bell pepper (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon thyme (chopped)
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 8 ounces of pasta (such as ditalini or shells (gluten-free for gluten-free))
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream (optional)
- 1/3 cup parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese, grated)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped (optional))
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced (optional))
- cayenne (salt and pepper to taste)
Instructions
- Sear chicken seasoned with Cajun spices in hot oil until golden brown, approximately 2-4 minutes per side, then set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté onion, celery, and bell pepper until softened, around 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate garlic, thyme, and additional Cajun seasoning, cooking until aromatic.
- Pour in broth, add diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, chicken, and pasta. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer until pasta reaches al dente texture, roughly 7 minutes.
- Extract chicken from soup, slice or shred into bite-sized pieces, then return to pot.
- Remove from heat, stir in cream and parmesan, allowing cheese to melt seamlessly into broth.
- Finish with fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and green onions. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper to personal preference.
- For slow cooker method, complete initial sautéing steps, transfer ingredients to slow cooker, and cook on LOW for 6-10 hours or HIGH for 2-4 hours.
- Add pasta during final cooking stage, ensuring tenderness.
- Optional variations: incorporate old bay seasoning, cream cheese, andouille sausage, or crumbled bacon for enhanced flavor complexity.
Notes
- Adjust Cajun seasoning levels to match your heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually adding more for perfect flavor balance.
- Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini that hold sauce well and provide delightful texture in every spoonful.
- Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for diverse dietary preferences without compromising taste.
- If soup becomes too thick, thin with additional broth or water, ensuring a silky smooth texture that’s not overwhelming.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 307 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg