This is a delicious recipe and one that is simple to make. Despite having cream in the ingredient list, it is surprisingly not a heavy meal. The tomato cream sauce is tossed with the pasta and lightly coats it so don't expect a saucy dish. I love the light flavors of the pasta paired with the spicy heat of the chicken. It's fun to pull this recipe out to change things up a bit. If you have a BBQ, try grilling the chicken - it tastes twice as good that way!Creamy Cajun Pasta with Blackened Chicken
3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts halves
2-3 Tb Cajun seasoning
1 Tb canola or olive oil
8 oz. gemelli or penne pasta
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes with onion and garlic
1 tsp dry basil (or 3 Tb fresh)
1tsp sugar
2/3 cup cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for garnish)
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and keep warm. Pour tomatoes into a small sauce pan and add dry basil and sugar. (*If using fresh basil, stir in at the end.) Reduce the tomatoes over medium-high heat until thickened, about 10 minutes.
- While tomatoes are cooking, rub chicken breasts with desired amount of Cajun seasoning. {I like to use 3 Tb but we like it spicy at our house. When I've used 2 Tb in the past, it has a mild kick of spice - still very delicious and probably perfect for finicky kids... or adults!} Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium high heat (careful not to burn the oil). Add chicken and cook 7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear when pierced. Remove from skillet and slice thinly across the grain.
- Once the tomatoes have thickened, reduce heat and stir in cream. Heat through but DO NOT BOIL! Toss with pasta and parmesan cheese.
- Serve sliced chicken on top of pasta and garnish with Parmesan cheese.
This looks sooo good Britt:)
ReplyDeleteYummy Britt! This looks really good and simple. I don't make a lot of Cajun type food so this will be a fun change!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your website! Whenever I need something new to try I come here first. This recipe looks wonderful! I was wondering if you had any suggestions on a lower-fat substitute for the cream as my dear hubby is on a diet. I really want to try this one out...
ReplyDeleteWell maybe try half and half?? It might be a little more watery. I'm not sure. I have never tried cooking with fat free half and half but I know it's out there! :) My hubby is trying to be extra healthy too so I should really stop cooking like this, poor guy! Let me know how it works "low fat" - I would be very curious! Brittany
ReplyDeleteWell I made it tonight and ended up using 2 TB light cream cheese. It was still creamy and very yummy...but I look forward to the day that I can use the real thing! I just need to up the cajun seasoning next time as I didn't do too much for fear my little ones wouldn't eat it.
ReplyDeleteOOOOH baby, this is a keeper! I made this tonight and my family absolutely raved about it. The chicken was delicious. I used 2 tbsp of homemade Cajun seasoning. I could've used more for my husband's serving but it was perfect for the kids and me.
ReplyDeleteThe pasta was also delicious. I did make a couple of changes, though. I started off with sauteing 1 shallot and 1 clove of garlic in olive oil. I added about 2 tbsp of butter, fresh basil, and 1/2 & 1/2 instead of cream to the tomatoes. I also added about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and salt and pepper to taste. I will definitely make this again. Thanks so much. Love your site.
My husband LOVED this meal! He rated it an 11 out of a 1-10 scale. I will definitely be making it again. The only thing I changed was to leave out the sugar (hubs doesn't care for a sweet sauce). The chicken is absolutely divine. I've never been brave enough to try cajun seasoning, oh my gosh so good! I going to make a yummy salad with my leftover chicken for lunch tomorrow! Thanks for an awesome recipe!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a hit this was with the family. My son and I cooked this one together. Everyone enjoyed it and had minimum left overs. Enjoyed the time with my son and a trying out a new recipe. Thank you for making our hearts warm and our tummies full.
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