Name: Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups chicken broth; ¾ cups heavy cream; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 teaspoons hot sauce; 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning; 1 teaspoon light brown sugar; ½ teaspoon mustard powder; ½ teaspoon oregano; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 1 pinch red pepper flakes; 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning; 3 tablespoons flour; 1-2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons flour; 10 oz. Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, juice reserved; ¾ cup cheddar jack cheese, shredded; 2 teaspoons lime juice; Lime wedges; Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

There’s something about a rich, flavorful skillet meal that just feels like a hug on a plate. This Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe manages to combine bold spices, velvety sauce, and tender chicken all in one pan, making weeknight dinners much easier and way more delicious.

The dish is shown in a round black pan filled with three large pieces of browned chicken covered in a thick, creamy orange sauce with small bits of red and green herbs sprinkled on top. Several green lime wedges are placed inside the sauce around the chicken, adding a fresh color contrast. The sauce looks rich and smooth, slightly glossy with some texture from the herbs and spices. A wooden spoon rests on the right side of the pan. The pan is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this recipe such a keeper for me is how it strikes that perfect balance between spicy and creamy—and it’s all done in one skillet. Plus, it’s super approachable, even if you don’t cook regularly. Let me tell you, it’s hit my dinner rotation so hard!

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, which means fewer dishes and more time to relax.
Flavor Powerhouse: The Cajun seasoning with a hint of heat brings vibrant, bold flavors without overpowering the creaminess.
Flexible Ingredients: You can tweak the heat level or swap cheeses depending on what you have, making it customizable.
Perfect for Weeknights: Ready in under an hour, it’s a comforting yet impressive meal for busy days.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe comes together with ingredients that blend classic Cajun spices, creamy dairy, and fresh touches to build layers of flavor. I always pick quality chicken breasts and fresh garlic—it makes all the difference in the final taste.

Flat lay of two large raw boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, a small mound of light brown flour, three unopened whole garlic bulbs next to three peeled garlic cloves, three tablespoons golden butter sticks, a small white bowl filled with creamy heavy cream, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl with bright red hot sauce, a small white bowl with rich orange chicken broth, a small white bowl holding a vibrant mixture of diced red tomatoes and green chilies, a small pile of shredded pale yellow cheddar jack cheese, a fresh lime cut into wedges, and a small bunch of roughly chopped bright green cilantro all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on simple white ceramic dishes placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: I prefer to slice and pound them for even cooking and tender texture.
Cajun seasoning: The key spice mix that gives this dish its kick—adjust based on your preferred heat.
Flour: Coats the chicken to build a nice crust and helps thicken the sauce later.
Olive or avocado oil: For searing the chicken to a golden brown crust without burning.
Butter: Adds richness and helps mellow the spices in the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic builds aromatic depth.
Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the sauce and keeps it light.
Heavy cream (or half and half): Makes the sauce indulgently creamy.
Honey: A touch of sweetness balances the spices beautifully.
Hot sauce: Adds a vinegary heat; I love Frank’s for this.
Brown sugar: Softens the smoky spice with subtle caramel notes.
Mustard powder & oregano: For that herbal warmth and a bit of tang.
Cayenne pepper & red pepper flakes: Crank up (or down) the heat here to your liking.
Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies: Adds a bit of acidic bite and the perfect hint of texture.
Cheddar Jack cheese: Melts into the sauce creating gooey, cheesy goodness.
Lime juice: Finishes the sauce with fresh brightness that cuts through the richness.
Fresh cilantro & lime wedges: Essential for garnish and a fresh finish on every plate.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this dish depending on what I’m in the mood for or what’s in the fridge. You can easily adjust heat levels, cheese choices, or even throw in veggies to make this recipe truly your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap half the Rotel tomatoes for black beans and corn to add heartiness and a touch of sweetness, turning it into a fuller meal. It’s a hit with the whole family.
Dairy Freedom: For a lighter version, I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream; it still tastes creamy but cuts some calories.
Mild Heat Option: If spicy isn’t your thing, just reduce or omit the cayenne and red pepper flakes—still flavorful, but gentler on the palate.
Cheese Swap: I’ve had great results using Monterey Jack or mozzarella if you prefer a milder, stretchier melt.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface with two lime wedges at the top edge. The plate has two main parts: on the left is a mound of white rice sprinkled with small bits of green herbs, and on the right is a piece of golden-brown cooked chicken covered in a creamy orange sauce with visible small pieces of tomatoes and herbs. A silver fork rests on the rice, pointing diagonally from the bottom center of the plate to the top left. The creamy sauce slightly spreads onto the plate around the chicken, adding texture and color contrast. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep the Chicken for Perfect Tenderness

Start by slicing your chicken breasts in half lengthwise. I always cover them with plastic wrap and gently pound them to about half an inch thick with the textured side of my meat mallet. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Don’t skip seasoning both sides well with Cajun seasoning, then dust lightly with flour to get that nice crust and a thicker sauce. It might seem like a small step, but it really makes a difference!

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat your pan with 1-2 tablespoons of olive or avocado oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken slices in batches, about 4-5 minutes each side, until golden and crisp. Be patient here—rushing will give you less flavorful, unevenly cooked chicken. Once done, set them aside; we’ll finish cooking them later in the sauce.

Step 3: Build the Sauce with Layers of Flavor

After searing, pour the reserved tomato juice into the skillet to deglaze it. Use a spatula to scrape up all the browned bits—this “fond” is pure flavor magic. Then, add your butter and minced garlic, sautéing for just a minute until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook for a couple minutes to eliminate that raw flour taste—it thickens the sauce beautifully.

Step 4: Add Sauce Ingredients and Simmer

Slowly pour in your prepared sauce mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and build creaminess. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes so all those bold flavors marry and the sauce thickens nicely.

Step 5: Melt in Cheese and Finish with Brightness

Turn the heat to low and add the shredded Cheddar Jack bit by bit, stirring until melted and smooth. The cheese adds a luscious silkiness you won’t want to skip. Just before adding the chicken back, squeeze in the lime juice—it cuts through the richness and adds that perfect zing.

Step 6: Simmer Chicken in Sauce & Garnish

Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and let everything simmer uncovered for about 4 minutes so the chicken soaks up the flavors. Add lime wedges, simmer another minute, then finish with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. Trust me, this final touch brings the whole dish together.

Top Tip

Having made this dish many times, here are a few insights that’ll make your Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe absolutely shine and save you from common pitfalls.

Chicken Prep Matters: Pounding the chicken thin ensures it cooks quickly and stays tender—don't skip this step to avoid dryness.
Don’t Rush the Searing: Let the chicken form a golden crust without moving it too early; this locks in flavor and texture.
Deglaze Stuff: Always scrape the skillet after searing to incorporate those delicious browned bits into your sauce—it’s flavor gold.
Cheese Choice: Freshly shredded cheese melts far better than pre-shredded. If you can, shred your own for that rich, creamy finish.

How to Serve Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top this skillet with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a few lime wedges on the side. The cilantro’s herbal brightness and the lime’s zesty tang lift the dish in a way that’s refreshing and perfectly balances the richness.

Side Dishes

I like serving this with fluffy, flavorful rice cooked in chicken broth to soak up all the creamy sauce. Black beans or a simple green salad also make great companions if you want to keep things light.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I've plated this dish in individual cast iron skillets and added a sprinkle of extra cheese melted on top under a broiler for a flash. Paired with crisp lime wedges and a side of crusty bread, it always feels special and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge — they keep well up to three days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so you’ll want to gently reheat it on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to loosen it back up.

Freezing

This recipe freezes nicely, which is a lifesaver on busy weeks. I freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers and thaw them overnight in the fridge when ready. Just note the texture of the sauce changes slightly but still tastes delicious.

Reheating

My trick for reheating is to place the chicken and sauce in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes after thawing, checking to ensure it’s warmed through without drying out. Stove-top reheating with a splash of broth works well too to keep that creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will be juicier and often more forgiving if slightly overcooked. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through.

What can I substitute for Rotel tomatoes if I don’t like spicy?

You can use regular diced tomatoes without chilies or even canned fire-roasted tomatoes for a different flavor profile. If you want zero heat, plain diced tomatoes are your safest bet.

How spicy is this Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe?

It has a nice medium kick thanks to the Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, and cayenne. You can scale the heat up or down easily by adjusting or omitting cayenne and red pepper flakes.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Swap out heavy cream for coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. Use a dairy-free butter substitute, and omit the cheese or use a non-dairy cheese. The sauce will be different but still tasty.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe has become one of my all-time favorite quick dinners, and I think you’ll feel the same. It’s that perfect mix of comfort food with a little bold flare that makes you want seconds. Give it a try—your kitchen (and palate) will thank you.