Description
A creamy and spicy Cajun chicken pasta bake, this Spicy Louisiana Delight is a flavorful dish that brings the taste of Louisiana to your table. It features tender chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce infused with Cajun spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until softened.
- Create Sauce: In the skillet, stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, smoked paprika, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Bring to a simmer, then add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Mix in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the creamy chicken mixture, stirring gently until the pasta is well coated.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For an extra spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Cajun seasoning.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a richer flavor.
- If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, you can make your own by combining paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg