1-First Step: Seasoning the Chicken In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (starting with 1/4 tsp), black pepper, and salt. Mix these spices thoroughly to create your Cajun seasoning blend. Place your chicken cubes in a larger bowl and sprinkle the seasoning over them. Toss the chicken until every piece is evenly coated with the spice mixture. This step is crucial as it infuses the chicken with flavor that will permeate the entire dish.

2-Second Step: Cooking the Chicken Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken to the skillet. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the chicken to steam rather than brown. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches.

3-Third Step: Sautéing the Onion Once the chicken is cooked, add the diced yellow onion to the skillet. Sauté the onion with the chicken until it becomes softened and translucent. This should take about 3-5 minutes. The onion will absorb some of the delicious flavors from the chicken and spices, adding depth to the dish. If you like a bit of extra flavor, you can also add minced garlic at this stage and cook for just one minute until fragrant.

4-Fourth Step: Adding Pasta and Liquids Now it’s time to build the base of our pasta dish. Stir in the uncooked penne pasta, the entire can of fire roasted diced tomatoes (including their juices), and chicken broth. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring continuously to combine all the ingredients and prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The fire roasted tomatoes will add a lovely smoky sweetness that complements the Cajun spices perfectly.

5-Fifth Step: Simmering the Pasta Once the mixture is boiling, cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let everything simmer gently, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue cooking until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. This should take about 12-15 minutes, but may vary depending on the exact type of pasta you’re using. If needed, you can check the pasta package directions for recommended cooking times and adjust accordingly.

6-Final Step: Creating the Creamy Sauce Remove the skillet from the heat. Now it’s time to make the sauce creamy and irresistible. Add the cubed cream cheese to the skillet and stir until it’s completely melted and incorporated into the sauce. The residual heat will be enough to melt the cream cheese without causing it to separate. Once the sauce is smooth and creamy, top the dish with sliced green onions for a fresh flavor and pop of color. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade Cajun Chicken Pasta!