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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy and delicious family dinner that combines a creamy sauce with cajun spices and chicken.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 portions
Calories 657 kcal

Equipment

  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Large Frying Pan & Wooden Spoon
  • Pot & Colander (for pasta)
  • Zip Lock Bag or large Shallow Dish & Cling Film (for marinade)
  • Jug (for stock & Cream)
  • Fine Grater (for parmesan)

Ingredients
  

Chicken

  • 2 breasts Chicken Breasts 7-9oz/200-250g each
  • 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

Pasta

  • 10.5 oz Penne 300g
  • 1 cup Double/Heavy Cream at room temp
  • 1 cup Chicken Stock
  • 3.5 oz Button Mushrooms sliced
  • 1.7 oz Parmesan plus extra to serve if desired
  • 2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
  • 1 heaped tbsp Fresh Parsley finely diced, plus extra to serve if desired
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
  • 2 cloves Garlic finely diced
  • 2 small Peppers cored & finely diced (1 red 1 green)
  • 1 medium Onion finely diced (white or red)
  • Salt & Black Pepper to taste
  • Olive Oil as needed
  • Lime Juice to serve (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Horizontally slice the chicken breasts right through the centre to make 4 even-sized breasts. In a large shallow dish (or zip-lock bag) whisk together 1 tablespoon oil, lime juice & cajun seasoning with ¼ teaspoon salt & black pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat, then cover with cling film and marinate in the fridge for as long as you have time for (up to overnight). If you're pushed for time just rest at room temp as you prep the other ingredients.
  • Bring the chicken to close room temp if you marinated it in the fridge, then add to a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry for a few mins each side, or until lightly charred and just through the centre. Rest to one side until needed, then slice into thin strips just before adding to pasta.
  • Fry mushrooms in the leftover oil until they begin to soften (top up with a dash more oil if you need to). Add peppers & onion and continue frying until golden (again, add a dash of oil if you need it). Add garlic and fry for a minute or so longer. Add 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning, fry for a minute, then melt in 2 tablespoon butter.
  • Pour in the chicken stock and cream, then bring to a gentle simmer. Allow to simmer until it begins to thicken, stirring occasionally (approx 10mins). At this point pop the pasta in salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  • To the sauce add parmesan, parsley and seasoning to taste. Stir through the cooked pasta until coated in the sauce, then stir through the sliced chicken, alongside any resting juices. Continue tossing until the sauce wraps around and clings to the pasta, thinning out with more pasta water if needed. Serve with extra parmesan & parsley and a squeeze of lime juice if desired.

Notes

Marinating the chicken for at least 20 minutes is recommended, but it can also be cooked immediately if necessary. Different cajun seasonings may vary in spice levels, adjust the usage accordingly.

Nutrition

Serving: 4portionsCalories: 657kcalCarbohydrates: 36.1gProtein: 48.42gFat: 35.19gSaturated Fat: 18.33gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.708gMonounsaturated Fat: 11.9gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 189mgSodium: 988mgPotassium: 621mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 5.67gVitamin A: 66IUVitamin C: 59.7mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 3.54mg
Keyword chicken pasta, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Easy Dinner, Family Meal, pasta recipe
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