Who else loves a meal you can easily make in one pot, and in under 30 minutes?? I know I do! This Cajun Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is one of those meals I think you will be making again and again. Even my kids are crazy for this one.
This easy recipe is just SO creamy and full of flavor. It makes you think of an alfredo sauce but lighter. The flavor you get from the Cajun seasoning mingling with the creamy sauce, mmm.
It tastes like you’re eating out at a restaurant!
Light ‘n Fluff Noodles are the star of this dish. I’ve always found their noodles to be easily interchangeable with pasta in any recipe. They cook quickly and they absorb flavor so well! They are a staple in my pantry, just as they were in my mom’s pantry and my grandmother's pantry.
Something about noodles is just so comforting.
Whether they are in a soup, stew, casserole or simply served on their own with some butter, salt and pepper.
As much as my kids enjoy a good meal and are adventurous eaters, I know both would opt for a bowl of buttered noodles over just about anything else.
Casseroles and one-pot meals are quintessential comfort foods for many families and often noodles are one of the stars of the show, add in chicken and a delicious sauce plus seasoning and...winner!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
- This chicken Noodle casserole is delicious! The flavors and textures work perfectly together!
- You can make this in about 30 minutes.
- Assemble the dish early in the day or the day before and reheat when ready to enjoy.
- Its a kid friendly meal that adults also enjoy.
- Just one pot is used to make the dish after that pop it in a casserole dish and place in the oven.
- Honestly you can enjoy this right from the pan without using the oven making it an even faster meal.
Ingredients
- Boneless chicken
- Cajun seasoning
- Grapeseed or olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic or garlic paste
- Vegetable or chicken broth
- Light ‘n Fluffy® Egg Noodles
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
- Grape tomatoes
- Scallions and/or parsley for garnish
Variations
- In my opinion, you can make this recipe with or without the chicken. The flavor of the Cajun seasoning as well as the other ingredients mingling with the noodles is amazing on its own.
- Add in a handful or two of fresh baby spinach
- If you enjoy things really spicy, add in some chopped jalapeno when you sauté the onions.
- If you enjoy Okra, you can always add some of that in as well.
- You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth for this recipe, however I think vegetable broth gives it a deeper flavor.
- If you don’t have fresh tomatoes on-hand you can add in a strained can of diced tomatoes, or even sun-dried tomatoes or if you are not a fan of tomatoes, leave them out.
- If you are a cheese lover, you can also add in some freshly grated parmesan cheese (in the sauce or on-top of the dish).
- You can omit the chicken for a meatless meal.
Tips
- Use a non-stick pan
- Don’t fret that the broth doesn’t completely cover the noodles, it’s just fine as long as you stir often.
- When initially browning the chicken, you are browning it for flavor…not cooking it through (you don’t want to end up with overcooked chicken). Add additional oil as needed when cooking the chicken as well as when you sauté the onions. IF however you want to cook the chicken through to enjoy without finishing in the oven you can do that as well.
- I do not add any salt or black pepper to this dish. Honestly, it does not need it between the Cajun seasoning and other ingredients added. However as always, taste and adjust to your liking.
I hope your family enjoys this Cajun Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe as much as mine does! If you love comfort food, try this easy to make Pot Roast with Onion Soup Mix recipe.
You may also enjoy this favorite Noodle Salad of mine, which is so pretty! It's a BBQ staple for me. OR if you enjoy Cajun flavor, your may enjoy this Shrimp & Andouille Skillet, I make huge a pot of it and bring it to gatherings. It is always a hit!
Enjoy! XO - Colleen
Recipe originally published March 2021, updates October 2022 with tips and information.
Cajun Chicken Noodle Casserole
Ingredients
- ¾ pound of boneless Chicken
- 3-4 TBS cup of Cajun Seasoning store-bought or homemade
- Grapeseed or olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic or 2 TBS garlic paste
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 12 oz bag Light ‘n Fluffy® Noodles
- 4 oz cream cheese cut into small chunks
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
- Scallion and or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Slice your chicken into bite-sized strips or chunks and then coat the pieces well with Cajun seasoning.
- Heat a large sauté pan or skillet, with sides at least - inches high, over med-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the oil.
- Once oil is hot and begins to shimmer, add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 4 minutes or so. Just enough to brown all sides of the chicken. Add additional oil if necessary.
- Remove chicken to a bowl, and add in onion, adding additional oil if necessary), sauté for 2 minutes, add in garlic or garlic paste and sauté another 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
- Remove onion mixture and put it in the bowl with the chicken, cover.
- Add in vegetable or chicken broth to the pan, turn heat to high, and stir it around detaching any browned bits or seasoning from the pan.
- As soon as broth begins to boil, add in noodles.
- Allow noodles to cook, stirring often for 6 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add in creamed cheese. Stir in until creamy.
- Add in heavy cream, tomatoes and your chicken & onion mixture, stirring to incorporate.
- Add in another ½ TBS to 1 TBS of Cajun seasoning.
- Transfer contents to a casserole dish (or if your pan is oven safe, feel free to use that as well).
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Sprinkle with additional Cajun seasoning (if desired), snipped parsley and or sliced scallions.
Green says
This is so good!! Made it for dinner tonight, with the tomatoes and spinach. There wasn't really enough left over to save. This will become a regular menu item in our house. Super easy and so, so good!!
Colleen says
Fantastic to hear!! 🙂 Thanks for the stars!!