Description
Creamy Cajun cream cheese chicken pasta bake delivers southern comfort with spicy richness. Home cooks can enjoy this hearty Louisiana-inspired dish that brings zesty flavors to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) shredded or diced cooked chicken
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz (340 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- ½ cup (120 ml) diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (8 oz/227 g) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 2 tbsps Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent adhesion.
- Pasta Choreography: Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil, immerse pasta until achieving an al dente consistency, then drain and set aside.
- Chicken Seasoning: Lavishly coat chicken pieces with Cajun spices, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a substantial skillet, sauté garlic, bell peppers, and onions over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant.
- SauceAlchemy: Introduce cream cheese to the skillet, melting it smoothly. Incorporate heavy cream, chicken broth, cheddar, mozzarella, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, whisking into a velvety sauce.
- Harmonious Fusion: Blend the cooked pasta and seasoned chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring thorough coating and integration.
- Baking Crescendo: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan across the surface.
- Oven Transformation: Bake for 20-25 minutes, then activate the broiler briefly to achieve a golden, crispy cheese crust.
- Culinary Finale: Remove from oven, let rest momentarily, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Spice Calibration: Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually increasing for controlled flavor complexity.
- Pasta Precision: Cook pasta slightly under al dente since it continues cooking in the creamy sauce, preventing potential mushiness during baking.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Incorporate cream cheese at lower temperatures to prevent grainy texture, ensuring smooth and silky sauce consistency.
- Protein Substitution: Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for dietary flexibility without compromising overall dish structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 652
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg