Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta Skillet for Busy Nights
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season chicken breast with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- In the same skillet, lower the heat and add butter. Once melted, sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute, stirring until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to gather any browned bits.
- Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Add the cooked bowtie pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Slice the seared chicken into thin strips and return it to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan for a lovely presentation, then serve hot.
Notes
- Feel free to switch to penne or fettuccine for the pasta.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half or a cream cheese/milk mix.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your heat preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg