Delicious Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake
Embark on a flavor-packed adventure with this Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake, a delightful fusion of creamy goodness and zesty Cajun spices. Perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings, this dish is sure to impress with its rich flavors and satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Penne or rotini pasta
- Cream cheese
- Cajun seasoning (or paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)
- Chopped bell peppers
- Chopped onions
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil. Season the diced chicken with Cajun seasoning and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed and toss in the chopped onions and bell peppers. Sauté until they are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add the cream cheese to the skillet with the veggies. Stir until melted and combined. Add in the cooked chicken and drained pasta, mixing everything together well.
- Stir in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese into the pasta mixture, reserving the other half for topping.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly and top with the remaining cheese.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the pasta bake cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Adjust the spice by adding more Cajun seasoning or diced jalapeños. You can assemble this dish a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Feel free to swap out chicken for shrimp, sausage, or add more veggies for added nutrition.