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A close-up shot of a fork lifting a scoop of Cajun chicken mac and cheese from a skillet. The cheese sauce is visibly creamy and clinging to the pasta.
FL Recipes

Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Creamy & Spicy Pasta

This Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! Tender chicken and pasta are tossed in a spicy, ultra-creamy three-cheese sauce for a flavor-packed meal the whole family will love.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Pasta
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb short pasta (like Cavatappi or Cellentani)
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning plus more to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 oz Gruyère cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 oz cream cheese cubed

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, toss chicken pieces with 2 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then evaporated milk, until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cubed cream cheese until melted. Add shredded cheddar and Gruyère in handfuls, stirring until each batch is melted before adding the next. Season sauce with more Cajun seasoning to taste.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine. If needed, thin the sauce with reserved pasta water. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 750kcalProtein: 46gFat: 42gFiber: 2g

Notes

Shred Your Own Cheese: For the smoothest sauce, always use freshly shredded cheese from a block.
Control the Heat: Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a dash of hot sauce to make the dish spicier.
Pasta Water is Key: Don't forget to reserve some pasta water! It's perfect for thinning the sauce to the right consistency if it gets too thick.
Keyword cajun chicken mac and cheese,creamy mac and cheese,spicy mac and cheese

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