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Cajun Chicken Pasta

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This Cajun Chicken Pasta features tender chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, tossed with penne pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce, and topped with fresh tomatoes and parsley. A quick, restaurant-quality meal ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

8 ounces penne pasta

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

½ teaspoon lemon zest

¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and Cajun seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
  2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine. Slice the cooked chicken and place it on top of the pasta. Garnish with diced tomatoes and chopped parsley.
  8. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

  • Adjust Cajun seasoning to control spice level.
  • Use pre-cooked chicken for quicker prep.
  • Can substitute shrimp or tofu for chicken.
  • For lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  • Do not boil the sauce after adding cream to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Find it online: http://recipesbyjanet.com/cajun-chicken-pasta/