Description
How to make one pot creamy cajun chicken penne with tender chicken, bold spices and rich cream sauce that creates comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Base
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Cajun Seasonings
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Creamy Sauce
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Combine all cajun seasonings in a bowl, then toss chicken pieces until evenly coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes while you prep other ingredients – this helps flavors stick.
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides but not fully cooked through yet.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to the same pot and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
- Add Liquids: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add penne pasta, stir well, then reduce heat to medium and simmer 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Create Sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Whisk until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes of gentle stirring.
- Finish Dish: Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken as this creates the flavor base for the entire dish.
- Soften cream cheese completely at room temperature to prevent lumps in your sauce.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat gently with extra broth.
- Adjust cajun seasoning to your heat preference – start with less cayenne if sensitive to spice.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
- This recipe doubles easily for meal prep or feeding a larger crowd.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g