Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta {gluten free + dairy free}

October 4, 2021 · Nyssa Tanner 30 Comments

Dairy free and gluten free, this creamy cajun chicken pasta is a lightened up version of a comfort food classic! A cozy recipe that’s perfect for any night of the week that’s healthy and full of zesty Cajun flavor. Gluten free, dairy free, vegan option.

Large speckled shallow bowl filled with creamy cajun chicken penne pasta. Topped with a sprinkle of parsley and a wooden handled fork tucked into the side of the bowl.

The best dairy free cajun chicken pasta

We love pasta night at our house!

Especially when it’s a flavor and protein packed recipe like this healthier cajun chicken pasta.

Just like this Creamy Tomato Sausage Pasta it is so comforting, cozy, and delicious – the perfect thing for fall!

Most cajun chicken pasta recipes are made with lots of dairy, but this recipe is made without cream, cream cheese, or cheese!

And thanks to the addition of a luscious cashew cream sauce, you can still all the creamy goodness that makes cajun chicken pasta SO tasty.

Top with some homemade dairy free parmesan for a yummy garnish.

Why you’ll love this delicious pasta recipe

It is:

Super flavorful
Cozy + comforting
Ultra creamy
Satisfying
Dairy free
Gluten free
On the lighter side
SO good!

Close up macro style shot of creamy cajun chicken penne pasta topped with chopped parsley.

Ingredients for cajun chicken pasta on a light colored background. A bowl of cajun spice blend, a bowl of nutritional yeast, a bowl of chopped garlic, a bowl of uncooked penne pasta, a plate with chopped onion and bell peppers, and a plate with diced raw chicken.

A large speckled white plate filled with chopped onion, orange pepper and red pepper on a light colored background.

Ingredients and substitutions

Raw cashews – Raw cashews are what you’ll use to make the sauce creamy without adding any dairy. They are blended with the broth and spices to create a smooth cashew cream pasta sauce.
Gluten free pasta – Any shape of your favorite pasta will work. This is the gluten free pasta that we used for this recipe.
Chicken breast – Chicken breast is diced into bite sized pieces to add a good source of lean protein to this pasta recipe. If you’re vegan or vegetarian feel free to leave it out and add more veggies!
Onion, bell peppers, and garlic – These add veggies great flavor to the base of the pasta sauce. For some ideas on other veggies you can add check out the section below.
Tomato paste – Just a little bit is added to deepen the flavors of the pasta sauce.
Simple Cajun spice blend – For the spice blend you can either use a Cajun seasoning you already have on hand, or make your own blend using the spices outlined in the recipe.
Broth – Chicken broth or vegetable broth both work to blend with the cashews for the ultra creamy spiced sauce.
Nutritional yeast – Nutritional yeast adds a convincing “cheesy”, umami rich flavor to the pasta to satisfy everyone at your table. If you’ve never tried it I highly recommend adding it to your pantry!
Salt and pepper – A bit is added to the sauce before blending, and before serving to taste.

You can find many of the pantry staples for this Cajun pasta on Thrive Market – a membership based natural products store that is like the Whole Foods of Costco but entirely based online and with the BEST wholesale prices.

I’ve been a Thrive Market member for 5 years and over that period of time have saved $4,283.42 on natural groceries! That is some serious savings.

Is this pasta spicy?

Only if your Cajun seasoning has a kick of heat to it.

I’ve included an optional pinch or two of cayenne in the recipe, but you can omit it if you don’t want any spice!

To make it extra spicy just add a bit more cayenne to the spice blend. You can add as much or as little as you like.

Adding additional veggies

You can easily add more vegetables to this healthy pasta dish!

These would all be great options:

Spinach – Added just before serving so it can wilt but doesn’t overcook.
Broccoli – Broccoli florets can be added to the pasta during the last minute or two of cooking, and then added to the skillet with the pasta during step 8.
Extra bell peppers – Feel free to use a whole red pepper and a whole orange pepper, or even some green peppers if that’s what you like!
Asparagus – Asparagus cooks pretty fast, so I would suggest adding it raw with the pasta, chicken, and sauce, during step 8.
Zucchini – Depending on the size of the pieces, zucchini will likely need to cook about the same amount of time as the bell peppers. If using add it to the skillet with the onions, peppers, and garlic during step cups 5.

What’s in Cajun seasoning?

Cajun seasoning is a simple seasoning blend that is typically made with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme.

The addition of cayenne is sometimes included for a bit of heat.

Store bought or the homemade blend included in the recipe below are both great options.

What does cashew cream taste like?

Cashew cream has a very neutral, even flavor.

This makes it an excellent substitute for dairy in savory and sweet recipes.

I often prefer it over coconut milk to make creamy soups and sauces because it has great texture and can be seasoned however you like.

Some of my favorite cashew cream recipes:

Dairy Free French Onion Dip
Creamy Vegan Vodka Pasta Sauce
Vegan Sour Cream
Healthy Whole30 Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Creamy Dairy Free Chicken and Cauliflower Rice Soup
Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
Make Ahead Whole30 Gravy

Close up image of a ceramic skillet filled with super creamy cajun chicken pasta. Topped with chopped parsley on a light colored background.

Close up shot of a large speckled shallow bowl filled with creamy cajun chicken penne pasta. Topped with a sprinkle of parsley and a wooden handled fork tucked into the side of the bowl.

How to make this creamy cajun chicken pasta

If you soak the cashews ahead of time this recipe comes together super quick! Right around the 30 minute mark. A perfect weeknight comfort food meal!

Here’s the step-by-step

Before you start cooking soak the cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. If you’re in a hurry you can simmer them on the stove top for 10 minutes before using.
Start a large pot of lightly salted water to boil for the pasta. Before draining reserve about 3/4 cup cooking water.
In a small bowl mix together all the dried spices until well combined.
Cook the chicken with some of the cajun seasoning. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the veggies with the remaining olive oil until tender.
Add the spices and tomato paste, and remove the skillet from the heat while you make the cashew cream sauce.
Drain soaked cashews and add to the blender with broth, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend on high for at least a minute – until smooth and creamy, and no pieces of cashews remain.
Return skillet to the stove top and add cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and the cashew sauce. Bring to a simmer and thin the sauce with the reserved pasta water if needed.
Taste and season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with fresh parsley if desired and serve!

The best gluten free pasta

My all time favorite gluten free pasta is made by Jovial.

Their brown rice penne pasta is what I use in this recipe.

The texture is SPOT ON every time and you’d never know it’s gluten free if you tasted it blindly!

Raw cashews in a glass bowl being filled with hot water.

Chopped bell peppers, onion, and garlic, in a large white ceramic skillet.

Close up shot of a spoon scooping creamy cajun chicken pasta out of a large ceramic skillet.

How to keep this pasta recipe creamy

Cashew cream can start to thicken as it sits with the pasta.

To keep it creamy all you need to do is thin the sauce with a little bit of water, nut milk, or broth until desired consistency is reached.

You may want to re-season it with salt and pepper after thinning the sauce.

Re-heating and storage

Refrigerator: This dairy free pasta with chicken will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in a sealed container.

Freezing: I would not recommend freezing this pasta. I haven’t tried it but I think that the texture of the pasta and sauce would not hold up well when thawed.

To re-heat: The cashew cream sauce will thicken as it sits in the refrigerator. To re-heat, warm the pasta on low in a skillet or in the microwave, and add water, unsweetened nut milk, or broth to the sauce a little bit at a time, stirring in between, until desired consistency is reached.

Large white ceramic skillet filled with creamy cajun chicken pasta, on a light colored background with a folded striped linen.

Love this flavorful pasta? Try these other healthy pasta recipes!

If you enjoyed this recipe we’d love it if you would take 5 seconds to rate and review it below! It’s also super helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe.

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!