Description
Craving a bold and creamy pasta dish that comes together in under an hour? This Cajun Ranch Chicken Pasta is your go-to easy dinner solution. Juicy, seared chicken coated in smoky Cajun seasoning is tossed with tender penne pasta and smothered in a rich, ranch-flavored cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight meals or when you’re looking for hearty dinner ideas that feel indulgent but are simple to pull off. This easy recipe checks all the boxes for quick dinners, creamy pasta cravings, and satisfying food ideas for any day of the week.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into cubes
8 oz penne pasta
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add ranch seasoning and a bit more Cajun seasoning if desired.
4. Pour in heavy cream, stir, and let simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened slightly.
5. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Toss in cooked penne and coat well. Use pasta water to thin if needed.
6. Return chicken to the pan, stir to combine, and heat for 2–3 minutes.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, more flavorful sauce.
Don’t overcook the chicken — sear it golden and remove immediately.
If the sauce thickens too much, a splash of reserved pasta water brings it back to creamy perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, chicken pasta, Cajun ranch, food ideas