Chicken Penne in Cajun Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce

If you love creamy pasta with a kick, this Chicken Penne in Cajun Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce will become your new obsession. It’s rich, spicy, and loaded with flavor — featuring juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken tossed with penne pasta in a luscious garlic butter sauce that’s melted together with mozzarella and Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy indulgence.

It’s the perfect restaurant-quality dinner you can make at home in under an hour — fancy enough for date night, but easy enough for a weeknight craving.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pasta & Sauce:

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (for the sauce)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Penne

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.

Tip: Toss the cooked pasta lightly with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 2: Prepare the Cajun Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut them into bite-sized strips. In a bowl, toss them with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds, until fragrant.

Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes for that signature spicy kick. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring gently to combine.

Let the sauce simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring often, until it begins to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Add the Cheese

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese a little at a time, whisking constantly until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and glossy.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Tip: Don’t let the sauce boil after adding cheese — gentle heat keeps it silky instead of grainy.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Add the cooked penne and Cajun chicken back into the skillet. Toss well to coat everything in that rich, cheesy, garlic butter sauce.

Let it simmer together for 1–2 minutes, allowing the flavors to fully meld.

Step 6: Garnish & Serve

Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and an extra dusting of Parmesan if you’d like.

Serve hot, with warm garlic bread or a fresh green salad on the side. Every bite is creamy, spicy, and unbelievably satisfying!

Tips for Perfect Cajun Chicken Pasta

• Use quality Cajun seasoning: A blend with paprika, cayenne, garlic, and herbs gives the best flavor.
• Cook the chicken in batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan or it’ll steam instead of sear.
• Cheese choice matters: Low-moisture mozzarella melts creamily without getting stringy.
• Make it spicier: Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to taste.
• Vegetable twist: Add sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for more color and flavor.

Timing

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chicken Penne in Cajun Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce is everything you want in comfort food: creamy, cheesy, spicy, and absolutely mouthwatering. The combination of Cajun spice and garlic butter sauce gives it that restaurant-quality flavor, while the melted mozzarella and Parmesan make it decadent and cozy.

It’s one of those meals that looks fancy but comes together easily — the kind of dish you’ll make again and again for family dinners, date nights, or when you just want something irresistibly rich and satisfying.