Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken (Printable Version)

A creamy, cheesy pasta dish with tender chicken and bold Cajun spices for a comforting meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta and Protein

01 - 200 grams penne or rotini pasta
02 - 450 grams cubed chicken breast
03 - 15 grams Cajun seasoning
04 - 15 milliliters olive oil

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

05 - 1 medium onion, diced
06 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Creamy Sauce

08 - 150 grams cream cheese, softened
09 - 120 milliliters heavy cream
10 - 120 milliliters chicken broth
11 - 100 grams shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 5 grams paprika
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

15 - Chopped parsley (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Boil penne or rotini pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
02 - Season cubed chicken with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until browned and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and reserve.
03 - In the same skillet, add diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
04 - Add softened cream cheese to the skillet along with heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir continuously until cream cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth. Season with paprika, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Mix thoroughly with the sauce. Stir in shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheeses until melted and well combined.
06 - Preheat oven to 175°C. Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

# Notes:

01 - Slightly undercook pasta when boiling to prevent over-softening during baking.
02 - Use full-fat cream cheese for optimal creaminess.
03 - Adjust Cajun seasoning to control spice level according to preference.
04 - This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until baking.
05 - Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

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