Introduction
This dish brings together tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, a luscious garlic butter sauce, and penne pasta tossed in creamy Parmesan. It’s restaurant-quality comfort food you can easily make at home. Perfect for weeknights, special occasions, or when you want to impress with big flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken: Toss chicken strips with Cajun seasoning until fully coated.
- Cook chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add Parmesan: Lower heat and stir in Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss until fully coated in sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- Use shrimp instead of chicken for a Cajun surf-and-turf twist.
- Add sautéed bell peppers and onions for extra flavor and texture.
- Replace penne with fettuccine or rigatoni if you prefer.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half.
Enjoy!!
