Description
Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed to perfection, and tossed in a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce with pasta. This hearty main course combines Southern American flavors with a comforting, creamy texture that makes a perfect meal for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (or blackened seasoning)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta, cooked and drained
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with Cajun seasoning to ensure a flavorful base.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning frequently until chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the skillet. Sauté diced onion until it becomes soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta and the previously cooked chicken into the creamy sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. Let simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or increase the Cajun seasoning used on the chicken.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Use penne or fettuccine according to your preference; both work well for holding the creamy sauce.
