Creamy Parmesan Chicken Shells with Melted Mozzarella
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Shells with Melted Mozzarella is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or special family gatherings. This dish features tender, seared chicken enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce that’s bursting with cheesy goodness. With the perfect blend of Cajun seasoning and melted mozzarella, every bite is sure to leave you satisfied. Easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, this recipe is not only flavorful but also versatile enough to accommodate various dietary preferences. Serve it as a main course or alongside a fresh salad for a balanced meal that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz medium shell pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook shell pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces seasoned with Cajun seasoning until golden brown and fully cooked (about 5-6 minutes per side). Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, add heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Mix in Parmesan cheese until thickened.
- Stir in cooked pasta until coated; loosen with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add half the mozzarella into the mixture until melted.
- Serve chicken on top of pasta, garnished with remaining mozzarella and parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 370g)
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 165mg