Description
This Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Sauce is a comforting, bold-flavored pasta dish that combines juicy seared Cajun chicken with a velvety Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners, it’s both crowd-pleasing and easy to make.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butte
r 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream 1
½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks.
- Coat them evenly with Cajun seasoning.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove and set aside.
- Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir, scraping any brown bits from the skillet.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained penne pasta.
- Stir everything together until fully coated.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, creamier sauce — pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well.
For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce into the cream sauce.
Reheat leftovers on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce’s creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, garlic butter chicken, creamy Parmesan penne