Description
A comforting and indulgent pasta bake featuring creamy sauce, chicken, and a kick of Cajun spice, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, and add the cubed chicken with Cajun seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, around 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the cream cheese until it melts and combines with the veggies.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to create a smooth sauce. Add shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking, stirring until creamy and melted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Mix in the drained pasta until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
For an extra kick, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a splash of hot sauce. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Cajun, pasta, bake, chicken, creamy
