Description
Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Sauce is the perfect mix of spice, creaminess, and indulgent comfort. Juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken pieces are pan-seared in garlic butter, then tossed with penne pasta and coated in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for entertaining.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
3. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Lower the heat. In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt. Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Add penne pasta and toss everything together until fully combined.
7. Cook for another 2–3 minutes to let the pasta soak up the flavor.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For extra creaminess, stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the Parmesan.
To reduce spice, use half the Cajun seasoning and add more after tasting.
Make it a one-pan meal by adding sautéed spinach or mushrooms in step 4.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, creamy parmesan penne, garlic butter pasta