Description
This creamy, spicy pasta dish features juicy chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, tossed with penne pasta and a velvety garlic Parmesan cream sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken strips with Cajun seasoning, tossing to coat evenly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked penne and chicken back to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Main Course
- Cuisine: American/Cajun
Nutrition
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 38g