Cajun Chicken & Pasta

Name: Cajun Chicken & Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2x1/2-in. strips; 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning; 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta (about 2-1/3 cups); 2 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 small sweet red pepper, diced; 1 small green pepper, diced; 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms; 4 green onions, chopped; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; Pepper to taste; Chopped plum tomatoes; Minced fresh basil; Shredded Parmesan cheese

This kicked-up pasta dish is a family favorite and my most requested recipe. It's easy to adapt, too. Swap in shrimp for the chicken, add your favorite veggies, adjust the spice level to your family's taste—you can't go wrong! —Dolly Kragel, Smithland, Iowa

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2x1/2-in. strips
3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta (about 2-1/3 cups)
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small sweet red pepper, diced
1 small green pepper, diced
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Pepper to taste
Chopped plum tomatoes
Minced fresh basil
Shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

Toss chicken with Cajun seasoning; let stand 15 minutes. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat; saute chicken until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Remove from pan.
In same pan, heat remaining butter over medium-high; saute peppers, mushrooms and green onions until peppers are crisp-tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in cream and seasonings; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until slightly thickened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in pasta and chicken; heat through. Top with tomatoes and basil. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 398 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.

Originally published as Cajun Chicken and Pasta in Simple & Delicious April/May 2017

Reviews

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Average Rating:

amsm

May 24, 2018

I love this pasta! I’ve made t several times now. It’s easy to prepare and has great flavor. I do add less Cajun seasoning for my taste, about 2 teaspoons instead of 3. It does get a little spicy with 3. The cream is great with the spice and helps cool it some.
halfadime7

Mar 16, 2018

I can't believe that no one has rated this recipe. Maybe it's just a computer glitch. This is so easy and tasty, no wonder it won the best recipe contest. This is a definite keeper and we'll be having it often.