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

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet recipe is pure comfort in a pan — spicy, rich, and ready in just about 45 minutes. If you want a dish that takes your weeknight dinner game up a notch without turning the kitchen into a disaster zone, you’re in the right place.

This image shows a black cast iron pan filled with three pieces of golden-brown cooked chicken, each partially covered in a thick, creamy orange sauce mixed with small bits of red and green herbs. The sauce has a smooth texture and surrounds the chicken pieces, with lime wedges placed evenly around the pan for decoration. A wooden spoon rests in the upper right corner of the pan. The pan sits 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

I’m super enthusiastic about this dish because it combines bold Cajun flavors with a silky, cheesy sauce that somehow feels fancy but comes together in just one skillet. I love how it fills the house with that smoky, spicy aroma that says dinner is going to be amazing.

One-Skillet Wonder: Everything cooks in one pan, which means less mess but all the flavor.
Speedy Prep: You’ll have dinner on the table in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
Creamy Spice Balance: The creamy sauce tempers the heat nicely, making it approachable but still exciting.
Flexible Ingredients: Easy to customize or swap ingredients based on what you have on hand or your heat tolerance.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet recipe lies in how well the ingredients balance bold flavors and creamy textures. Each component plays a role, whether it’s the spice mix, the tangy tomatoes, or the melting cheese, all harmonizing in the sauce.

Flat lay of two large boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, three uncracked brown garlic cloves, a few sprigs of fresh cilantro roughly chopped, several lime wedges arranged neatly, a small white ceramic bowl of golden butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of deep red-hot sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of dried oregano and mustard powder mixed, a small white ceramic bowl of cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes mixed, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red diced tomatoes with green chilies and their juice, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with shredded cheddar jack cheese, all 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: Pounding these thin lets them cook quickly and get a great sear without overcooking.
Cajun seasoning: The heart of the dish—adds smokiness, warmth, and depth of flavor. I recommend a quality brand to avoid overly salty mixes.
Flour: Coats the chicken for a light crust and helps thicken the sauce later.
Chicken broth: Adds savory depth and forms the base of the sauce.
Heavy cream (or half and half): Creates that luscious, creamy mouthfeel.
Honey: Just a touch to balance the heat and acidity.
Hot sauce & cayenne: For that authentic Cajun kick you’re craving.
Brown sugar & mustard powder: Add complexity and a slight tang to the sauce.
Minced garlic & butter: Classic flavor boosters that build a rich, aromatic base.
Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies: I love the punch they bring, plus the little heat bursts. Reserve the juice—it’s gold for deglazing.
Cheddar jack cheese: Melts beautifully, making the sauce creamy and flavorful.
Lime juice: The final zing that brightens everything up just right.
Fresh cilantro and lime wedges: Perfect fresh garnishes to round out the dish.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to what you have or how spicy you want things. I often swap cheeses or add a little extra kick, depending on my mood—or who I’m cooking for.

Variation: Sometimes I swap half the chicken breasts for thighs, which keep the meat juicy and add even more flavor. Try it if you like your meat extra tender!
Heat Level: Don’t love things spicy? You can dial down the hot sauce and omit the cayenne—trust me, it’s still delicious. Or, if you’re a heat warrior, toss in some extra red pepper flakes.
Dairy-free: Use coconut cream in place of heavy cream and a vegan butter substitute for a dairy-free spin that still gets creamy.
Adding veggies: Black beans or corn folded in with the tomatoes adds great texture and makes it heartier without complicating prep.

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

A white round plate sits on a white marbled surface holding two main parts. On the left, there is a mound of white rice with small green herb pieces mixed in, topped with two green lime wedges at the plate's edge. On the right, there are two golden-brown cooked chicken pieces covered in a creamy orange sauce with visible small red and green diced vegetables. A silver fork rests on the rice, pointing towards the chicken. The plate edges and food textures are clear and vibrant. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Chicken & Season Well

Start by slicing your chicken breasts horizontally for thinner cutlets—that way they cook fast and evenly. I like to pound them to about half an inch thick for a perfect sear. Season generously with Cajun seasoning on both sides, then sprinkle flour over and rub it in. This helps the crust develop and gives the sauce a bit of body later.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat your skillet with olive or avocado oil on medium-high. When it’s hot, add the chicken in batches—don’t crowd the pan or it’ll steam. Cook about 4-5 minutes each side until you get that gorgeous golden crust. Set them aside on a plate. The fond left in the pan is packed with flavor and sets the stage for your sauce.

Step 3: Make the Sauce That Steals the Show

Pour the reserved tomato juice into the skillet and use your spatula to scrape up all those tasty bits stuck to the bottom. Then add butter and minced garlic—let that get fragrant for a minute. Stir in the flour and cook it a couple minutes to lose any raw flavor. Slowly whisk in your pre-mixed sauce ingredients, bringing it to a boil before letting it bubble gently.

Once it starts to thicken, stir in your drained diced tomatoes and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Add shredded cheese a little at a time, stirring to keep it smooth and velvety. Don’t forget the lime juice at the end—it’s a game changer!

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Slide the chicken back into the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, let it simmer uncovered for about 4 minutes so the chicken soaks up some sauce magic. Toss in the fresh lime wedges for another minute’s simmer, then remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve it up!

Top Tip

After cooking this recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make it shine. These helped me nail the balance between spice, creaminess, and perfectly tender chicken every single time. I hope they help you, too.

Don’t skip pounding the chicken: It ensures quick and even cooking so your chicken stays juicy and tender rather than dry.
Use fresh shredded cheese: I shred a block myself because pre-shredded tends to have anti-caking agents, which can make your sauce less smooth.
Reserve the Rotel juice: This liquid is magic for scraping up all the delicious browned bits and building flavor in your sauce.
Simmer slowly: Letting the sauce bubble gently after adding cheese helps it thicken without breaking or separating. Patience shows here!

How to Serve Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet Recipe

The images show a two-step cooking process in a black skillet with a beige handle on a white marbled surface. In the first image, a creamy, pale yellow sauce is being stirred with a red spatula with white polka dots, while a woman's hand pours more liquid cream into the pan, creating swirls of thick sauce and visible black spots of spices or seasoning. In the second image, the same creamy sauce has thickened and shows a pile of finely chopped red tomatoes placed in the center, offering a bright contrast against the pale yellow sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always finish with fresh cilantro and plenty of lime wedges—there’s something about that brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of green onions or a dollop of sour cream can add a nice touch.

Side Dishes

My favorite way to serve this Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet recipe is with fluffy, flavorful rice cooked in chicken broth—it soaks up all that sauce perfectly. I also love a simple green salad or some seasoned black beans on the side for a bit of freshness and extra protein.

Creative Ways to Present

For a get-together or casual dinner party, I’ve served this in individual mini skillets which looks charming and keeps the food warmer longer. You can also overstuff tortillas with the chicken and sauce for a delicious twist on fajitas.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life.

Freezing

If you want to freeze this dish, it holds up well for up to three months. Freeze in portions for easy thawing—just defrost in the fridge overnight. I like to reheat in a covered casserole dish at 350°F to keep the chicken moist.

Reheating

When reheating leftovers, low and slow is your friend. Warm it gently on the stove or in the oven to avoid curdling the sauce. Adding a little extra cream or broth helps keep the texture silky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and robust flavor. Just be mindful of cooking times, as thighs may take slightly longer to cook through. Pounding them thin can help with even cooking.

Is there a way to make this recipe less spicy?

Yes! Simply reduce the hot sauce and omit the cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. The dish will still be flavorful thanks to the Cajun seasoning and garlic, but it will be milder and great for those sensitive to heat.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and swap butter for a plant-based spread. The texture will stay creamy, but the flavor will be slightly different—still delicious!

What can I serve with Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet?

Great side options include seasoned white rice, black beans, a crisp green salad, or even grilled vegetables. These sides complement the rich and spicy flavors perfectly and round out the meal.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Skillet recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for nights when I want something cozy, flavorful, and fuss-free. I hope you love it as much as I do—there’s something so satisfying about digging into tender, spicy chicken smothered in a silky sauce with that zing of lime at the end. Make it for your family or friends and watch it become their new go-to dinner, too!