Description
Bold Cajun chicken meets creamy, cheesy penne pasta in this one-pan comfort classic. Each bite delivers spicy seared meat, rich garlic parmesan sauce, and tender noodles that soak up every bit of flavor. Ideal for weeknight dinners or casual guests—this dish balances heat, richness, and simplicity in the most satisfying way.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken thighs or breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
12 ounces penne pasta
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
5. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in parmesan until smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
6. Stir in cooked penne and splash in some reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Return chicken to skillet and let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot, spooning extra sauce over each portion.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best melt and flavor—pre-shredded cheese may not fully incorporate.
If your Cajun seasoning is very salty, taste before adding extra salt to the sauce.
To lighten it up, substitute half of the heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American-Cajun Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: creamy cajun chicken, garlic parmesan pasta