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Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Sauce

  • Author: Andy
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Cajun / Italian-American
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Sauce is a bold and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, rich garlic butter, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce tossed with penne pasta. It’s a perfect one-pan meal packed with spice and comfort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (more to taste)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, then add to the skillet and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream, stir, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
  5. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce and heated through.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
  • Add sautéed bell peppers or spinach for extra veggies and color.
  • Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste—start with less and add more if needed.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 670
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 20g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 36g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy penne, garlic butter chicken, Parmesan sauce, spicy pasta dish