Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken, a creamy sauce with a spicy kick, and melted cheese come together to create a satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 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

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the cubed chicken with Cajun seasoning, then cook in the skillet until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted and smooth. Gradually add the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring continuously to make a creamy sauce.
5. Step 5: Add paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well.
6. Step 6: Combine the cooked pasta with the chicken and sauce mixture. Stir to coat everything evenly.
7. Step 7: Transfer the mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• Swap chicken breasts for thighs for juicier meat.
• You can substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier sauce.
• Use smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, this recipe works well with any short pasta like fusilli, rigatoni, or farfalle.

Is this dish spicy?

The Cajun seasoning gives it a mild to moderate spice level, but you can adjust the heat by adding more seasoning or cayenne pepper according to your taste.

Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 57 reviews

This Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake combines tender cubed chicken seasoned with spicy Cajun flavors, creamy cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta baked to golden perfection. It’s a comforting, hearty dish that balances spicy, creamy, and cheesy notes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

Chicken and Seasoning

• 2 chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables

• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth

Cheese Toppings

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

• Chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the chicken: Season the cubed chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic; sauté until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Make the sauce: Reduce heat to medium, add softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and combined with the vegetables. Slowly add heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet and mix well so everything is evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
6. Transfer to baking dish and add cheese: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan evenly on top.
7. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
8. Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

• You can substitute penne or rotini with any short pasta like fusilli or shells.
• For a spicier dish, increase Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Use low-fat cream cheese and heavy cream for a lighter version, but the dish will be less creamy.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
• If avoiding dairy, cream cheese and heavy cream can be replaced with dairy-free alternatives, but the flavor and texture will differ.

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta bake, creamy chicken pasta, baked pasta casserole, Cajun recipes, dinner bake