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Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta Skillet Recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta Skillet Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 14 reviews

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta Skillet features tender, Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts nestled in a rich, velvety Parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked bowtie pasta. The smoky, spicy Cajun flavors combined with garlic and fresh parsley create a comforting and flavorful one-skillet meal perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta

  • 8 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta

Seasonings & Oils

  • 2–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Reserved pasta water (as needed)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook 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 of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and let it melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to deglaze the skillet and incorporate any browned bits from the chicken. Allow the cream to gently simmer.
  6. Add Cheese & Season: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or more Cajun seasoning if desired.
  7. Toss Pasta: Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
  8. Slice & Reheat Chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces and return them to the skillet. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes to heat the chicken through and marry the flavors.
  9. Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve the creamy Cajun chicken pasta hot, straight from the skillet for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • Adjust Cajun seasoning level to suit your spice preference; start with 2 tablespoons and add more if desired.
  • If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but note it will be less rich.
  • Reserve pasta water is key to loosening the sauce without diluting flavor.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture and flavor in the sauce.
  • Rest the cooked chicken before slicing to retain juices and tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta skillet, bowtie pasta recipe, spicy chicken pasta, one skillet pasta dinner

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-bowtie-pasta-skillet-recipe/