Description
Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake is a delightful blend of creamy textures and bold flavors that transforms any meal into a culinary celebration. This comforting dish features tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a rich cream cheese sauce, and a golden layer of melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, it’s sure to become a family favorite, leaving everyone satisfied and coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Cajun seasoning.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown (about 7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for one minute. Add cream cheese until melted and smooth.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until well combined.
- Stir cooked pasta and chicken into the sauce until evenly coated.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider incorporating chopped bell peppers or spinach. Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning used. This dish can be assembled ahead of time; just refrigerate before baking.