Description

Craving something bold, creamy, and incredibly satisfying? This Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Sauce is your next favorite dinner idea. With juicy Cajun-spiced chicken, rich garlic butter, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce clinging to every piece of pasta, this easy dinner is perfect for weeknights or when you want to wow guests. If you’re looking for food ideas that bring comfort and kick, or a quick recipe that feels gourmet, this is it. Whether you’re meal prepping or needing quick dinner inspiration, this dish delivers flavor, texture, and indulgence—fast.

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 garlic cloves minced

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

12 ounces penne pasta

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, saving ½ cup of pasta water.

2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add chicken and sear until golden and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

4. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

5. Pour in the heavy cream, stir, and simmer for 3–4 minutes. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.

6. Add the cooked pasta into the sauce and toss to coat. Fold in the cooked chicken. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot. Add extra Parmesan or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan to avoid a grainy texture in the sauce.

If the sauce thickens too much, pasta water helps bring it back to creamy perfection.

To reduce spice, start with 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning and adjust to taste.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 670
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 870mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 155mg

Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, easy recipe, comfort food