Description
A creamy and slightly spicy pasta bake perfect for weeknights, featuring chicken, cheese, and Cajun seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to the package. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and Cajun seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until it melts.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine into a smooth sauce.
- Add the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and mix everything together.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use room-temperature cream cheese to melt easily and don’t overcook the pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Cajun, Cream Cheese, Pasta, Bake, Chicken