Bowtie Dinner with Cajun Chicken Sauce

This Bowtie Dinner with Cajun Chicken Sauce is my go-to “I have five minutes and a hangry family” miracle: spicy, creamy, and pretending to be fancy because it has Cajun in the name. It comes together faster than my ability to answer a single child’s question, uses pantry staples so you won’t need a second mortgage, and tastes like you didn’t cook standing on one foot while juggling a toddler and a phone. Also, yes — this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes. Compromise is for furniture, not pasta.

I once tried to look impressive and served this to my in-laws. Halfway through dinner my husband announced he’d “help” by adding extra Cajun seasoning and then proudly declared it was “exactly the same.” It was not. One kid cried from flavor overload, another from the absence of dessert, and I cried into my spatula. We lived, in case you’re wondering — louder and slightly more seasoned.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Shortcuts that work but feel a little wrong.
– Hacks to avoid dishes (because who washes those?).
– The sneaky tricks you actually use when rushing.
– One-pan-ish: Brown the chicken and toss in the sauce in the same skillet to save the pot for pasta only. No miracles — you’ll still have two pans.
– Pre-cooked pasta: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked pasta for ultra-emergency dinners. My credibility: shredded but intact.
– Speedy veg: Frozen bell peppers sauté faster and forgive your chopping skills.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with a crunchy green salad and pretend you’re health-conscious.
– Pair it with: Crusty bread for mopping up sauce — because wasting sauce is a crime.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts. Red for mood, white for denial.
– Garnish with parsley or cilantro if you want to feel fancy; I use both when guests are coming and none when they aren’t.
– Keep it simple: pasta, sauce, fork. Happiness achieved.

What to Serve It With

– Roasted broccoli or green beans for something that still qualifies as a vegetable even if it’s slightly charred.
– A simple Caesar or mixed greens to cut through the creaminess.
– Garlic bread for people who measure affection in carbs.
– Pickled jalapeños if you like to add surprise fire to every bite.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overcook the chicken: Thin slices cook fast — keep an eye or it’ll turn into chicken confetti.
– Salt carefully: Cajun seasoning often contains salt. Taste the sauce before going nuclear with the salt shaker.
– Pasta timing: Save a cup of pasta water before draining — it’s magic for smoothing sauces.
– Too spicy? Add a splash of cream or a spoonful of sugar to tame it without murder.
– Pan size: Yes, this pan is too small. Use a bigger one unless you like sauce splatter art.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Fridge: Up to 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently to avoid rubbery chicken.
– Freeze: Sauce freezes okay, pasta less so. Freeze only if you’re desperate and label it “adventure meal.”
– Reheating: Add a splash of water or milk when reheating to bring the sauce back from the edge.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Vegetarian: Swap chicken for smoked tempeh or roasted mushrooms. Same vibe, less clucking.
– Seafood: Shrimp works beautifully; cook it last for 2–3 minutes so it doesn’t turn into gum.
– Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta or zoodles for a low-carb spin.
– Milder: Cut the Cajun seasoning by half and add smoked paprika for depth without the fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bowtie Dinner with Cajun Chicken Sauce

A delicious bowtie pasta dish coated in a spicy Cajun chicken sauce.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.1 lb boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ 12 oz bowtie pasta or farfalle pasta
• ▢ 1.5 fl oz olive oil for sautéing
• ▢ 0.75 cup heavy cream for a creamy sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning for spice
• ▢ 0.5 cup chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until browned.
• Stir in the Cajun seasoning and cook for an additional minute for flavor.
• Reduce the heat and add the heavy cream. Stir until well combined; let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until evenly coated. Serve warm topped with green onions.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. This dish goes great with garlic bread!