Bring the bold heat and deep flavor of Louisiana straight to your kitchen. This creamy, smoky Cajun Chicken Pasta is simple enough for a weeknight but guaranteed to impress. The secret weapon: Cajun Strike Blend.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thin or filleted)
- 16 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 3 tablespoons Cajun Strike Blend
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, thinly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cup milk
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup Panko
- 1 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Pat chicken dry (essential!). Rub thoroughly with 2 tablespoon Cajun Strike Blend!
- Then take that bird and dredge it in a mixture of (½ cup parmesan + 1 cup panko). Put enough force to get those yummy crumbs on the chicken.
- Place the chicken on a plate, cover, and set aside
Cook the Chicken (I usually do this when I start my sauce)
- Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (or use your Blackstone or Grill if you’re on expert mode!)
- Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Transfer to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest.
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large stock pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Set pasta aside – it helps to toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same stock pot, add 2 tablespoon olive oil and heat on medium.
- Add bell peppers and onion and sauté 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Stir in garlic, tomato paste, 1 tbsp Cajun Strike, and crushed red pepper and cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Make the Sauce
- In the stockpot, whisk in the milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, and pasta water.
- Whisk that bad boy gently on a gentle simmer for a good 7-8 minutes – you are looking for it to thicken up a little.
- Once it’s thickened up a bit, go ahead and add your remaining 1 cup parmesan to your sauce.
- Remove from heat and toss your cooked pasta in the pot and combine. If the sauce feels a little too thin – put your burner back on a low setting and thicken it up for a few minutes.
Combine & Serve
- Slice the rested chicken into strips or cubes (I prefer cubes).
- Top your pasta with your sliced/cubed chicken.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Serve immediately and feel the strike!
Evergreen Pantry
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