Description
Creamy Cajun chicken bowtie pasta is a quick weeknight dinner loaded with tender chicken, farfalle, and a silky mozzarella cream sauce spiked with Cajun seasoning. This easy Cajun pasta is rich, cheesy, and ready in about 40 minutes. Keywords: creamy Cajun chicken pasta, bowtie pasta, mozzarella cheese sauce, easy weeknight dinner, stovetop pasta.
Ingredients
12 ounces bowtie pasta
1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups heavy cream
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning and a pinch of salt.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the same skillet, then sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.
6. Lower the heat and whisk in mozzarella and Parmesan until the sauce turns smooth and creamy.
7. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes; add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce gets too thick.
8. Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet and toss to coat.
9. Add the cooked bowtie pasta and fold gently until every piece is coated; finish with lemon juice and parsley.
10. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy Cajun sauce in every bite.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheeses for a smoother, silkier sauce.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preferred heat level and saltiness.
Reserve pasta water; its starch helps loosen and emulsify the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.25–1.5 cups
- Calories: 900
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg