Description

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Skillet is a quick dinner packed with tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, creamy Cajun sauce that brings just the right amount of bold flavor. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, easy dinner planning, comfort food cravings, and family-friendly food ideas when you want something hearty, creamy, and satisfying without a complicated prep.

Ingredients

12 ounces penne pasta

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup chicken broth

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. In a bowl, toss the chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, cook the onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook briefly until they begin to soften.

5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

7. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top, cover for 1 minute until melted, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce texture.

Do not overcook the chicken or it can turn dry once mixed back into the hot sauce.

Reserve pasta water before draining because it helps loosen the sauce without watering down the flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: Cajun-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 710
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 51g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 43g
Cholesterol: 165mg