Description
Indulge in the rich and flavorful Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce with a Cajun kick. This comforting dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Cajun Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
Others:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Season chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and cook in olive oil until browned. Set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté bell peppers and garlic. Add cream cheese, chicken broth, heavy cream, remaining Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until creamy.
- Combine and Bake: Toss pasta and chicken with the sauce, transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, use blackened or grilled chicken.
- This dish can be prepped ahead and baked before serving.
- Adjust spice level by varying Cajun seasoning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
