Cajun Chicken Pasta
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
793 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Description
This dish starts by cooking ziti pasta al dente, then tossing it with olive oil to prevent sticking. Chicken breasts are pounded thin for even cooking and seasoned with Cajun spices, salt, and pepper before pan-frying in oil to develop a flavorful sear. The sauce is prepared by sautéing diced onions in butter until soft, then adding garlic briefly for aroma. Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese are incorporated with extra Cajun seasoning for a creamy, spicy coating.
The sliced chicken is returned to the sauce, then combined with the pasta. Freshly ground pepper and salt adjust seasoning, while chopped fresh parsley adds a bright herbal note at serving. This pasta offers a balanced combination of spice, creaminess, and tender chicken, suitable for dinner or a hearty lunch.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 8 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper fresh ground
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 4 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated (plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- parsley chopped for garnish, fresh
Instructions
Noodles
- In a large pot filled with water, add salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add noodles and cook al dente, according to package directions.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water; drain the rest.
- Rinse the noodles, add oil, and toss to coat evenly. Set aside.
Chicken
- Pound the chicken breasts so that they are even in thickness. Season on all sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- To a large skillet over medium heat, add oil, and heat until oil is sizzling.
- When the oil is hot, add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink and fully cooked. (Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.)
- Remove chicken from the skillet and transfer to a cutting board. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Tent to keep warm as you make the sauce.
Sauce
- To the same skillet over medium heat, add butter. Once the butter has melted, add onions and cook until softened (8-10 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream, ½ cup pasta water, parmesan cheese, and Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine. (At this point, taste the sauce for flavor. Add more Cajun seasoning if needed.)
- Reduce heat to low and add cooked noodles to the skillet. (If you want a thinner sauce, add more reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.)
- Add chicken. Toss to combine.
- Serve immediately. Salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 793 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 793kcal | 40% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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