Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta with Garlic Cheese Sauce is a rich and flavorful Southern-inspired dish made with smoky seared Cajun chicken, tender bowtie pasta, and a velvety garlic cheese sauce. It’s the perfect combination of bold, creamy, and comforting—and it all comes together in one pan.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
8 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (divided)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside to rest.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook bowtie pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in cheddar and parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth.
6. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your liking.
7. Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
8. Slice the rested chicken and layer over the creamy pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
9. Serve hot with garlic bread or a green salad.
Notes
For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the sauce while it simmers.
Don’t skip resting the chicken—this keeps it juicy when sliced.
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother, more cohesive sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 740
- Fat: 36
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 39
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 39
- Cholesterol: 140
Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner