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Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

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3.9 from 56 reviews

Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender Cajun-seasoned chicken with penne pasta tossed in a rich, homemade cream sauce. Finished with fresh diced tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, this delightful pasta meal comes together quickly in just 30 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 16 ounces penne pasta

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 cups half and half
  • ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Garnish

  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
  2. Season chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over them, seal the bag, and shake thoroughly to coat chicken evenly with the seasoning.
  3. Sauté chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. Make roux: In a separate skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute or two, stirring constantly, to form a roux and eliminate the raw flour taste.
  5. Add cream and seasonings: Gradually whisk in the half and half, lemon pepper, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally until the sauce begins to bubble and thickens moderately, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Remove the cream sauce from heat and pour it over the cooked penne pasta, tossing gently to coat all noodles evenly.
  7. Slice chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips suitable for topping the pasta.
  8. Assemble and serve: Plate the sauced pasta, top with the sliced chicken strips, then garnish with diced tomatoes and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.

Notes

  • Use fresh Cajun seasoning or your favorite blend for best results.
  • You can substitute half and half with heavy cream for an even richer sauce.
  • Ensure not to overcook pasta to maintain a pleasant texture.
  • If you prefer more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/chilis-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe/