introduction
This pasta is rich, creamy, and a little spicy. It uses bowtie pasta, juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken, and a garlic butter cream sauce. The sauce is smooth from cream cheese and Parmesan. You can make it fast on a weeknight. For another quick pasta idea, try this clickable recipe: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine.
why make this recipe
You should make this recipe because it is:
- Fast to cook and filling.
- Comfort food with bold Cajun flavor.
- Easy to change for more or less spice.
- Great for feeding a family or guests.
how to make Creamy Garlic Butter Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta
Ingredients :
- 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed for sauce consistency)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
- A sprinkle of Cajun seasoning (for garnish)
Directions :
Step 1: Cook the Pasta – Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Cajun Chicken – Pat chicken dry and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Cream Sauce – In the same skillet, add a little extra butter if needed and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until velvety and creamy. Add red pepper flakes for heat.
Step 4: Combine Pasta & Chicken – Add cooked bowtie pasta into the sauce and toss until coated. Return Cajun chicken to the skillet, folding it gently into the pasta. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
Step 5: Serve & Garnish – Plate pasta with chicken strips on top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a light dusting of Cajun seasoning.
how to serve Creamy Garlic Butter Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta
Serve this pasta hot. Add a green salad or steamed vegetables on the side. Garlic bread or a warm baguette works well to soak up extra sauce. For a surf-and-turf twist, serve with buttery shrimp like in this easy dish: Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp.
how to store Creamy Garlic Butter Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta
- Refrigerate: Cool the pasta, put it in an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: You can freeze for up to 2 months, but the texture may change. Freeze in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Microwave in short bursts, stirring between them.
tips to make Creamy Garlic Butter Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Al dente holds sauce better.
- Pat the chicken dry for a good sear.
- Use fresh Parmesan for better flavor.
- Whisk the cream cheese well so the sauce is smooth.
- If the sauce gets too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
- Taste and adjust Cajun seasoning at the end.
variation (if any)
- Make it spicy: increase red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning.
- Make it milder: reduce Cajun seasoning and skip the red pepper flakes.
- Add vegetables: bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms work well.
- Swap the protein: use shrimp or smoked sausage instead of chicken.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce (the sauce will be thinner).
FAQs
Q: Can I use other pasta shapes?
A: Yes. Penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine all work. Cook to al dente.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: It is hard to get the same texture without dairy. You can try dairy-free cream cheese and plant-based milk, but taste and texture will change.
Q: How do I stop the sauce from splitting?
A: Keep the heat low when you add cream and cheeses. Stir constantly and do not boil hard.
Q: Can I pre-cook the chicken ahead?
A: Yes. Cook and cool the chicken, then store in the fridge. Reheat in the sauce when ready to serve.
Q: Is this dish very spicy?
A: It depends on the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes you use. Start with less and add more to taste.
Conclusion
For another creamy Cajun pasta idea and a step-by-step video, see this helpful recipe: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (with Video) – Budget Bytes.
Creamy Garlic Butter Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Pat chicken dry and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a little extra butter if needed and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
- Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until velvety and creamy. Add red pepper flakes for heat.
- Add cooked bowtie pasta into the sauce and toss until coated.
- Return Cajun chicken to the skillet, folding it gently into the pasta.
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Plate pasta with chicken strips on top.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a light dusting of Cajun seasoning.