Description
Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake brings spicy Southern comfort straight to your dinner table with creamy, zesty goodness. Comfort meets kick in this hearty one-pan wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large chicken breasts
Pasta and Cheese:
- 1 pound pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Toss chicken cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spread chicken in a single layer. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook 1 pound pasta until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the same skillet. Sauté ½ cup each green, red bell peppers, and yellow onion for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Lower heat to medium-low.
- Stir 8 ounces softened cream cheese into the vegetables until completely melted and smooth.
- Slowly pour 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup milk into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Mix in 1 cup Monterey Jack and ½ cup Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes creamy and uniform.
- Season sauce with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Combine cooked pasta and chicken with sauce, stirring to thoroughly coat all ingredients.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Swap Cajun seasoning for homemade blend by mixing paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano, and thyme for a custom flavor profile.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save time when preparing this dish on busy weeknights.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Customize heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper amount or using mild Cajun seasoning for those who prefer less spice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 584 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg