Description
Spicy penne pasta in creamy cajun sauce delivers a mouthwatering journey through Louisiana’s bold flavors. Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a zesty comfort meal that brings restaurant-quality excitement directly to home kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, diced
Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) cajun seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare penne pasta in boiling salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, searing chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and sliced bell peppers into the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become slightly softened and aromatic, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring vigorously while incorporating cajun seasoning for an even, spicy distribution.
- Allow the creamy sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, developing rich flavors and slightly thickening consistency.
- Fold the cooked penne pasta into the cajun cream sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is completely enveloped and coated with the spicy mixture.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting to balance the spice levels.
- Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Adjust cajun seasoning intensity by gradually adding and tasting to control spice level for different heat preferences.
- Create vegetarian version by replacing chicken with plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for balanced nutrition.
- Reserve pasta cooking water to help thin sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring smooth and creamy consistency.
- Use gluten-free pasta alternative like brown rice or chickpea pasta to make dish celiac-friendly without compromising flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg