Description
Spicy Cajun chicken meets pillowy cheese tortellini in a luscious three-cheese garlic cream sauce that’s both comforting and bold. This quick dinner is perfect for busy weeknights but elegant enough to serve for a dinner party. Whether you’re looking for easy dinner ideas, quick creamy pasta, or a crowd-pleasing comfort food, this dish checks all the boxes. The Cajun heat, garlicky richness, and melty cheese come together in one glorious pan. It’s the kind of easy recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
9 oz cheese tortellini
2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp cream cheese
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
3. Cook the tortellini in boiling salted water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, drain the rest, and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add butter and garlic, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
7. Add cooked tortellini and gently toss to coat in the sauce.
8. Slice the rested chicken and arrange over the pasta.
9. Sprinkle with parsley and optional red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother sauce—it melts better and avoids clumps.
Don’t let the cream boil, or the sauce may break. Keep it at a gentle simmer.
A splash of reserved pasta water helps loosen and smooth out the sauce perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, tortellini recipe, easy dinner, garlic chicken, three cheese sauce