Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Penne Pasta with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is a bold and comforting dinner made with seasoned chicken, penne pasta, and a luxuriously creamy garlic cheese sauce. The perfect blend of heat, richness, and savory flavor, this one-skillet meal delivers restaurant-style satisfaction in under an hour.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (divided)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning.
3. In a hot cast iron skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and let rest.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently simmer.
6. Gradually whisk in mozzarella and Parmesan until smooth and fully melted.
7. Stir in cooked pasta until evenly coated in the sauce.
8. Slice the rested chicken and place over pasta.
9. Sprinkle with parsley and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
For a thinner sauce, add a splash of reserved pasta water or milk.
You can add sautéed spinach or bell peppers to sneak in extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 21
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 37
- Cholesterol: 145
Keywords: creamy cajun chicken pasta, garlic mozzarella pasta