Description
Bold, creamy, and packed with smoky Cajun spice—Bowtie Pasta with Creamy Cajun Chicken and Mozzarella Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comfort meal. Seared Cajun chicken brings the heat, while mozzarella cheese sauce wraps each piece of bowtie pasta in silky, melty richness. Whether you’re after an easy dinner idea, quick comfort food, or something to impress guests without the stress, this easy recipe has it all. It’s a flavorful combo that fits into your rotation of dinner ideas, weeknight meals, and even cozy food ideas for gatherings.
Ingredients
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
12 oz bowtie pasta
Water for boiling
Salt for pasta water
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1.5 cups whole milk warm
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
1 cup spinach
0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and season with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil and butter in a skillet. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest, then slice.
3. Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add flour to make a roux.
5. Gradually whisk in warm milk and cream. Simmer until thickened.
6. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
7. Add pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Loosen with reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Plate the pasta, top with sliced Cajun chicken, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Always shred your mozzarella fresh—it melts better and gives a smoother sauce.
Don’t skip resting the chicken; this keeps it juicy and flavorful.
Use warm milk for the cheese sauce to prevent lumps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-seared & stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups pasta + 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: bowtie pasta, cajun chicken, mozzarella pasta, easy dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner