Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta Skillet is a delicious one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, creamy Cajun-spiced sauce. This easy recipe is quick to make and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- Salt
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the pan. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If too thick, add reserved pasta water to loosen.
- Finish the Dish: Slice chicken and return to skillet. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to heat through. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of Cajun seasoning to suit your spice preference.
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauté, Simmer
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, One-Pan Pasta Recipe, Cajun Chicken Skillet
