Description
Spice meets comfort in this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Parmesan, Garlic, and Mozzarella—a bold and cheesy pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent. Juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts are seared until golden, sliced, and nestled on a bed of creamy garlic penne pasta, enriched with melted Parmesan and mozzarella. It’s a fast, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing meal that feels restaurant-worthy but is made easily at home.
Ingredients
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for chicken)
Salt and black pepper to taste
12 oz penne pasta
Water and salt for boiling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce)
4 garlic cloves minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (optional, for extra spice)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon juice, cooked spinach, sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and let rest.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream, whisking to blend with pan drippings. Lower the heat and stir in Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
6. Add a pinch of Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Thin the sauce with reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Toss the cooked penne into the sauce, stirring to coat. Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
8. Slice the rested chicken into strips and serve over the pasta. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Always use freshly grated cheese for a creamier and smoother sauce.
Don’t skip the resting time after cooking the chicken—it keeps it juicy.
If your sauce is too thick, stir in a bit of pasta water to loosen it naturally.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, cajun chicken, easy dinner, cheesy pasta, comfort food