Description
A creamy, cheesy pasta dish paired with juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken, coated in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing family meal.
Ingredients
4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (divided)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
12 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Pat chicken thighs dry and rub with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
2. Bring salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
3. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, scraping up brown bits.
4. Gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper.
5. Toss pasta with sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to thin.
6. Slice Cajun chicken, place on top of pasta, and garnish with parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese—it melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Don’t skip resting the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing; it keeps the juices in.
Add red pepper flakes for extra heat if you like it spicier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 785
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, cheesy pasta, garlic parmesan chicken