Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and Cajun seasoning, cooking until browned and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in cream cheese until melted and combined.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to create a smooth sauce. Add shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper; continue cooking until creamy.
- Return chicken to skillet and mix in the drained pasta.
- Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Serve hot with a crisp green salad or garlic bread. You can also make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Gluten-Free Option Available
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy pasta bake, chicken casserole, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food
