Description
A comforting creamy pasta dish that combines tender chicken, flavorful Cajun spices, and a rich three-cheese sauce with bowtie pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 1/2 pounds 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
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until just tender. Drain and set aside, keeping it lightly separated.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter 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 nicely browned on the outside and fully cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
- Lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stirring gently to lift the flavorful bits from the pan.
- Add the heavy cream and cream cheese, whisking until smooth and well combined.
- Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar, mixing until the sauce becomes thick and creamy.
- Add the chopped parsley and basil, then return the cooked chicken to the pan, stirring to coat well.
- Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and gently toss until everything is evenly covered in the rich sauce.
- Let it sit over low heat for a couple of minutes so the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta.
- Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and herbs on top.
Notes
You can add spinach or kale for extra nutrition, swap chicken for shrimp, or use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Cajun, pasta, creamy, chicken, cheese, bowtie