Chicken Penne in Cajun Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce 

Byzitouni

🛒 Ingredients

For the Cajun Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs Chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces 🍗
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust based on your spice preference!) 🌶️
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • Salt & Black Pepper to taste 🧂

For the Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 1 lb Penne pasta 🍝
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted butter 🧈
  • 4-5 cloves Garlic, minced 🧄
  • 1.5 cups Heavy cream 🥛
  • 1.5 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded (for that ultimate cheese pull!) 🧀
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tsp Dried parsley or fresh chopped parsley 🌿
  • Optional: Extra red pepper flakes for added heat 🌶️

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Boil the Pasta: Cook your penne in a large pot of heavily salted water until al dente. Don’t forget: Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining! 🍝💧
  2. Season & Sear: Toss your chicken pieces in a bowl with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside. 🍗🔥
  3. The Garlic Butter Base: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant—it will smell amazing! 🧄🧈
  4. Make it Creamy: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. The Cheese Magic: Turn the heat to low and whisk in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth, stretchy, and completely melted. 🧀✨
  6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta and seared chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if you want a silkier sauce. 🥣
  7. Final Touch: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately while the cheese is nice and melty! 🍽️😋

🔥 Pro Tips:

  • The Cheese Pull: Use a block of mozzarella and shred it yourself for the best melting results. Pre-shredded bags have coatings that can make the sauce slightly grainy. 🧀🚫
  • Control the Heat: Not a fan of spice? Use a “Mild” Cajun seasoning or swap half of it for smoked paprika! 🌶️✨

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