PREP TIME: 10 mins | COOK TIME: 35 mins | TOTAL TIME: 45 mins | YIELD: 5 servings
This Cajun Chicken Pasta is an amazing one-pot dinner with chicken, sliced peppers, and pasta tossed in a delightfully creamy sauce.
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 to 3 tsp Cajun seasoning
½ c. diced yellow onion
2 ½ c. uncooked penne pasta
⅓ c. water
2 c. chicken broth
1 small yellow bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced into thin strips
1 small red bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced into thin strips
4 oz. cream cheese
freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
½ c. shredded from the block of Parmesan cheese
HOW TO MAKE ONE POT CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
Step 1: With 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, season the chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch pan or skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onions and saute for about 3 minutes until tender. Then, add the chicken and sear on both sides until brown. Next, add the garlic and saute for another minute.
Step 3: To the pan/skillet, add the uncooked pasta. Pour in the chicken broth and water. Add the sliced pepper, along with the rest of the Cajun seasoning (1 tsp for mild Cajun flavor or 2 if you prefer the full Cajun flavor).
Step 4: Stir and bring everything to a boil. Once boiling, adjust the heat to low. Put the lid on and let the mixture simmer for about 22 minutes. Then, remove the cover and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Take the pan off the heat and whisk in the cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Mix well until melted.
Step 6: Serve the Cajun Chicken Pasta right away garnished with some fresh parsley. Enjoy!
NOTE:
To make homemade Cajun seasoning, mix 1 tsp paprika with 1 tsp garlic powder, half tsp onion powder, half tsp oregano, half tsp cayenne pepper, half tsp salt, half tsp black pepper, and ⅛ tsp red chili flakes.
NUTRITION FACTS:
CALORIES: 371.6KCAL, CARBOHYDRATES: 26G, PROTEIN: 30.2G, FAT: 15.6G, CHOLESTEROL: 77.9MG, SODIUM: 661.7MG, POTASSIUM: 288.3MG, FIBER: 1.7G, SUGAR: 1.7G