Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Skillet is a quick dinner packed with tender chicken, penne pasta, creamy Cajun sauce, and plenty of cheesy flavor. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, easy dinner plans, and comforting food ideas when you want a satisfying skillet meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 small onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet.
6. Add the onion and red bell pepper, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
7. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
8. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
9. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
10. Return the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until coated in the sauce.
11. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir everything together.
12. Sprinkle in the mozzarella cheese and let it melt into the pasta.
13. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Do not boil the sauce after adding the cheese, or it can turn grainy instead of smooth and creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Keywords: creamy cajun chicken pasta skillet, cajun chicken pasta, easy dinner, quick dinner, skillet pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food, dinner ideas, food ideas