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Cajun Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bowtie Pasta with Three-Cheese Alfredo Sauce

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This Cajun Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bowtie Pasta with Three-Cheese Alfredo Sauce is a cozy weeknight winner that balances bold spice with rich, creamy comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 ¼ tsp Cajun seasoning
  • ¾ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 18 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ¼ cups heavy cream
  • 1 ⅛ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 ⅛ cups grated Parmesan cheese, for the sauce
  • 3 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¾ tsp dried basil
  • ⅜ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • Chopped parsley or dried herbs, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside. Reserve some pasta water if needed.
  2. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Coat with grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Heat some of the butter in a skillet and sear the chicken until cooked through and browned on the edges. Add half the minced garlic for the last minute of cooking, then remove the chicken to a plate.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and sauté the remaining garlic until fragrant. Add the heavy cream and chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add the softened cream cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, and the Parmesan reserved for the sauce. Stir until all cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Toss the drained pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if you need to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
  7. Serve the pasta topped with the seared Cajun Parmesan chicken and garnish with chopped parsley or dried herbs. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

This dish reheats well for leftovers and can be scaled to feed a crowd. Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables on the side.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, pasta, Alfredo sauce, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://swifttasty.com/cajun-garlic-parmesan-chicken-bowtie-pasta/