Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside. I always taste a piece of pasta a minute before the lowest suggested cooking time to ensure it doesn't overcook.

In a shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese. Season the chicken cutlets or tenders with kosher salt and black pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so the coating adheres well. Set the breaded chicken aside on a plate.

Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the cajun seasoning, a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute. Pour in the milk and heavy cream (or coconut milk), then add the softened cream cheese. Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it bubble for 5-8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken from Step 2 and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board, season with a bit more salt, and slice into thin strips. I let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes before slicing to keep it juicy inside.

To the sauce in the skillet, stir in 1 cup grated parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Add the cooked pasta from Step 1 and toss in the sauce. Cook everything together for 3-5 minutes so the pasta absorbs the flavors and the sauce thickens further. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley. For extra flavor, I like to add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch more red pepper flakes at this stage.

Divide the creamy cajun pasta among plates. Top each serving with slices of the cooked chicken from Step 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!