Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake
This comforting dish combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and a zesty Cajun flavor, all baked together with pasta for a hearty meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings!
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 colander
- 1 large skillet
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 oven
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet, let rest for a few minutes, and then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and sour cream. Mix until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta and diced chicken to the mixing bowl and stir until everything is well coated with the creamy mixture.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
For extra spice, consider adding diced jalapeños to the pasta mix.
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking. Just allow for a longer baking time if cooking from cold.