Description
Indulge in the creamy richness and spicy kick of this Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this dish is sure to impress with its bold flavors and comforting texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Penne or rotini pasta (or any pasta shape you have on hand)
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese (or reduced-fat for a lighter version)
- Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade with paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and oregano)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add some olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and no longer pink. Remove from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, and then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed, then toss in diced bell peppers and onions. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they’re soft.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the cream cheese to the skillet with the vegetables, stirring until melted and smooth. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, mixing well to create a creamy sauce. Stir in more Cajun seasoning to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, and creamy vegetable sauce. Mix until everything is well coated.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top generously with shredded cheese.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, spicy, and utterly delicious Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cream sauce. For a vegetarian option, swap chicken for black beans or chickpeas. This dish can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking.