Description
A comforting and creamy pasta bake featuring seasoned chicken, a rich cream cheese sauce, and a blend of cheeses topped to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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 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 the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and Cajun seasoning, cooking until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add the cream cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and combined.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to create a smooth sauce. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until creamy and the cheese is melted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta, mixing everything together.
- Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
This dish reheats well and its flavors continue to meld, making leftovers even tastier. Pair with a simple salad for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg