Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Our lightened up and creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is just what you need for dinner tonight! Super easy and full of the best flavors!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning divided
- 9 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 pound penne noodles regular or gluten-free
- 2-3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 cup dairy-free unsweetened, unflavored creamer OR heavy cream*
- 14 oz can of diced tomatoes drained
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- garnish: fresh parsley and additional grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Pat 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season all sides with 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning. Bring a large cast iron skillet to a medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter to melt. Once hot, cook the chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes on one side, flip, and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes on the other side. Cook until the internal temperature at the thickest part of the meat reaches 162℉ (use a meat thermometer). Let chicken rest on a plate.
- Boil Pasta: while the chicken is cooking, bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Add 1 pound penne noodles and cook to al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before fully draining.
- Make Sauce: in the same large skillet used to cook the chicken, bring back to a medium high heat and add the rest of the butter to melt. Add 2-3 teaspoons garlic to the hot pan and move around until fragrant; about 30 seconds. Gradually add 1 cup dairy-free unsweetened, unflavored creamer (or heavy cream) along with the remaining cajun seasoning, 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, pinch of kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. Whisk to combine, let simmer and reduce for about 10 minutes, whisking consistently. Once mixture has thickened, remove from heat and mix in 1 cup parmesan cheese to melt.
- Combine: Add cooked noodles to the skillet and toss to combine. Add splashes of reserved pasta water to thin, as-needed. Taste and more salt or cajun seasoning, if needed. Cut cooked chicken into strips and toss with the pasta in the pan.
- Serve: enjoy immediately with some chopped parsley and/or parmesan cheese on top!
Notes
- *Cream: highly recommend keeping this main dish a little lighter by using a NutPods Creamer, Califia Farms Better Half, or Silk Dairy-Free Whipping Cream.
- Chicken Breast: option to use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs, but you will need to adjust the cook time. Keep an eye on that internal temperature.
- Gluten-Free: use a gluten-free pasta.
- Dairy-Free: use a dairy-free creamer, plant-based butter, and a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
Nutrition
Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 455mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 999IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 2mg
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