Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta Skillet
A comforting and quick dish that features creamy Cajun chicken tossed with bowtie pasta, perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts Organic preferred.
Pasta
- 8 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta Whole grain versions are healthier.
Seasoning
- 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning Adjust according to taste.
- 1 to taste Salt For seasoning.
- 1 to taste Pepper For seasoning.
Cooking Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Extra virgin recommended.
- 2 tablespoons butter For extra flavor.
Flavor Enhancers
- 3 cloves garlic, minced For aroma and flavor.
- 1 cup heavy cream For creaminess.
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Do not use powdered.
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped For garnish and freshness.
- as needed none Reserved pasta water To adjust sauce consistency.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Cooking
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Remove chicken and cover to keep warm.
- Reduce heat, add butter, and sauté garlic for about 1 minute.
- Stir in heavy cream and deglaze the pan.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted smoothly.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, coating it fully in the cream sauce.
- If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Slice the seared chicken and return it to the skillet, simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Perfect for meal prep, this recipe keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Adjust spiciness and try adding veggies for more nutrition.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
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