This Cajun chicken pasta is a vegan version of the classic Louisiana dish that’s full of flavour and always a crowd-pleaser. This plant-based twist uses vegan chicken strips and a creamy cashew sauce made with all the same traditional herbs and spices that make the original so irresistible. If you enjoy fiery Cajun food and supremely satisfying dinners like Vegan Garlic Alfredo Pasta, then this Cajun chicken pasta should go on your must-make list!
Why You’ll Love This vegan Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Here’s what makes this Cajun chicken pasta such a winner:
Vegan. With plant-based chicken and a creamy cashew sauce, this is a Cajun pasta recipe everyone can enjoy! Flavourful. Cajun food is known for its big, bold flavors and this Cajun chicken pasta is no exception. It’s loaded with herbs and spices, umami vegan Parmesan, garlic, and onion. Hearty and Satisfying. Between the pasta, protein-packed vegan chicken, and creamy sauce, this is a dinner that won’t leave you hungry an hour or two later.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
Fettuccine – If you have another pasta shape you prefer or happen to have on hand, you can use that instead. Vegan chicken – Choose an unbreaded variety. Cajun seasoning Vegan sour cream or unsweetened yogurt – If you use yogurt, you can use store-bought or homemade vegan yogurt. Olive oil Garlic Onion – A yellow onion is perfect here, or use white if you have them on hand. Diced tomatoes Tomato paste Cashews – Use raw cashews, not roasted or salted. Water Ground black pepper – Freshly ground is best. Salt – I like to use sea salt or kosher salt for cooking. Vegan Parmesan – Store-bought or homemade vegan Parmesan. Parsley
What Is Cajun Seasoning Made Of?
Different Cajun seasoning blends have different ingredients, but if you’d like to make your own, here’s what I use:
3 tablespoons paprika 2 tablespoons garlic powder 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon onion powder
How to Make Vegan Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ready to make vegan Cajun pasta for dinner tonight? Here’s what you’ll need to do. Prepare. Soak the cashews in hot water for 15 minutes and cook the pasta to al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking water for the sauce. Rinse the pasta with cold water. Coat the vegan chicken. Stir together the vegan sour cream and a tablespoon of Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl; add the chicken and stir to coat. Cook the vegan chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, or until it’s browned, stirring once. Transfer to a plate. Sauté the aromatics. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes, or until softened. Add the next 3 ingredients. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and remaining Cajun seasoning and cook for 3 minutes. Make the cashew cream. Drain the cashews and blend them with 1 1/2 cups of water, salt, and pepper. Add the cashew cream to the pan. Pour the cashew cream into the skillet and cook until it thickens. Season to taste with additional salt. Finish. Stir the pasta and vegan chicken into the sauce. Garnish with vegan Parmesan and parsley, then serve.
Tips for Success
These pointers will help you make sure your Cajun chicken pasta turns out perfect:
Don’t skip the soaking. Make sure to properly soak the cashews for 15 minutes so that they blend into a smooth sauce. Add the pasta water if needed. If the cashew sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out. Adjust to your taste preferences. Cajun pasta is meant to be quite spicy, but the beauty of cooking at home is you can adjust the flavour and make it milder if needed. It’s always best to be conservative because you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away once you add it!
Variations
Switch things up with some of these Cajun pasta variations:
Not a fan of store-bought meat substitutes? Use my homemade vegan chicken or swap in meaty portobello mushrooms. Throw in some greens like spinach or kale for added nutrition. Swap the vegan chicken for plant-based shrimp or sausage.
Serving Suggestions
A simple green salad makes a great accompaniment for this vegan Cajun chicken pasta, but you can stretch it out even further if you serve it with something a little more substantive like Roasted Garlic Bread or Balsamic Roasted Vegetables.
How to Store
Leftover Cajun chicken pasta can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave until it’s warmed through, or in a skillet with a splash of vegetable broth to loosen up the cashew sauce.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat it according to the instructions above.
More Vegan Pasta Recipes
Lemon Pasta Vegan Spaghetti and Meatballs Hearts of Palm Pasta With Pesto Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta Hummus Pasta
Enjoy friends! If you make this Cajun chicken pasta, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
