Description
A creamy pasta dish that combines Cajun spices with tender chicken and rich cheeses, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken bites (boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until lightly golden and fully cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stirring gently while lifting the flavorful bits from the pan.
- Add the heavy cream and cream cheese, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar, continuing to mix until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and half of the parsley, stirring to combine.
- Add the chicken back into the sauce and stir to coat thoroughly.
- Add the cooked penne to the skillet and gently toss until every piece is covered in the sauce. Allow it to sit over low heat for a couple of minutes.
- Finish with the remaining parsley and serve warm.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead; simply reheat it gently on the stove, adding a splash of cream if it thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: cajun, chicken, pasta, creamy, family dinner, quick meal