A bold and creamy pasta dish that combines spicy Cajun-seasoned chicken with garlicky butter sauce, melty cheddar, nutty parmesan, and perfectly cooked penne. This comforting one-skillet meal is rich, satisfying, and comes together in just 30 minutes.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- For the Cajun chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into strips
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- For the garlic butter sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, to taste
- For the pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- Reserved pasta water (1/2 cup)
- Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or chopped green onions
- Extra grated parmesan
Instructions
- Boil penne in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 6–8 minutes until cooked and golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in cheddar and parmesan until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat in sauce.
- Return Cajun chicken to the pan and stir until everything is coated and heated through.
- Garnish with parsley, extra parmesan, and more Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve hot.
