Description
A comforting dish featuring tender chicken and bold Cajun flavors, topped with a creamy garlic mozzarella sauce and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for extra heat
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika until well coated.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly add the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Lower the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Add 1 1⁄2 cups of shredded mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is rich and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Add the cooked penne and seared chicken to the sauce. Stir to combine and coat everything evenly.
- Transfer the mixture to a large oven-safe baking dish or skillet. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Broil for 2–3 minutes, or until the top is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, cheesy Cajun goodness.
Notes
Customize this dish by adding vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. Can be made ahead of time and baked before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy pasta, chicken pasta, one-pot meal