Description
This rich and flavorful dish combines tender chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, al dente bowtie pasta, and a velvety cream sauce. It comes together in one skillet and is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 8 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season diced chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden and fully cooked. Remove from skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
- Add chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, paprika, thyme, and cayenne (if using). Simmer until smooth.
- Return pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and heat through.
- Garnish with parsley and more Parmesan before serving.