When it comes to quick and delicious meal prep, this one’s a winner.
This Cajun Chicken Pasta is a super-tasty way to pack in the protein. Made with a rich, creamy sauce and a healthy serving of veggies, it’s a great balanced meal to keep you full and feeling good all afternoon.
Plus, it’s easy to make in a big batch so that you’re ready for the week ahead. What more could you want?
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What to Serve with Cajun Chicken Pasta
This dish packs a strong flavor, so you'll want side dishes that complement the pasta, without overwhelming the meal. Some classic options are Caesar salad and garlic bread.
The salad will provide a nice crunch, while you can use the garlic bread to dip into your sauce.
If you're looking to add some veggie servings, a side of grilled vegetables or Brussels Sprouts can pair nicely with this dish.
Extra Toppings
While this dish is already rich with flavor, there are a few toppings you can add to enhance it:
- Parmesan cheese
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Diced tomatoes
- Crumbled bacon
- Crispy fried onion
- Toasted pine nuts
- Lemon zest
- Chopped olives
Equipment Needed
- Large, non-stick pan
- Mixing spoon
- Airtight containers for storage
Tips for Making Chicken Pasta
- Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. Dice the onion, slice the mushrooms and red pepper, and chop the chicken into even pieces. This will make the cooking process easy and quick.
- When frying the chicken, make sure your pan is hot enough to get a good sear. This will give the chicken a nice golden color and enhance the flavor. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the chicken to steam instead of sear.
- After cooking the chicken and before adding the vegetables back in, you can deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken stock or white wine to lift the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This adds extra depth to the sauce.
- When sautéing the vegetables, cook them just until they're softened but still retain some of their texture. This will add a pleasant contrast to the creamy pasta.
- Check the pasta as it simmers in the chicken stock. You want it to be al dente—cooked through but still firm to the bite. If the pasta seems to be cooking too quickly and the stock hasn’t fully absorbed, lower the heat slightly or cover the pan less tightly.
- When stirring in the cream cheese, make sure it's at room temperature to help it blend smoothly into the sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce is thick and creamy.
- Serve the pasta immediately for the best texture and flavor.
How to Batch Cook and Store Safely
This pasta dish is great for lunch or dinner throughout the week. If you want to meal prep the chicken pasta, there are a few things to remember.
Start by doubling the recipe so you'll have plenty for storage. When meal prepping, you'll want to slightly undercook the pasta so that it's not overdone when you reheat it later in the week.
Once the pasta is cooked, allow it to cool slightly before portioning and adding it to the storage containers. Leave a little bit of space in each container to allow room for expansion when reheating.
If you're planning to eat the pasta within three to four days, store in the fridge. For long-term storage, store in the freezer in freezer-safe containers.
How to Thaw and Reheat
When reheating, add a splash of water or milk to help loosen the sauce and retain its creaminess. On the stove top, reheat on low heat to prevent the pasta from drying out.
Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave.
Make it Gluten Free
To make this recipe gluten free, simply replace the pasta with a gluten-free version. This can be brown rice pasta, chickpea pasta, zucchini pasta, or a standard gluten-free pasta you can buy at the store.
Additionally, ensure the chicken stock you're using is gluten free, as certain store-bought varieties may contain gluten from additives or flavorings.
Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Servings
- 5
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Passive Time
- 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 red onion, diced
- 2-2 1/2 cups mushrooms
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
- salt to taste
- 4-5 cups pasta
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup light cream cheese
- chopped chives to garnish
Instructions
First, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the red onion, mushrooms, and pepper strips and cook for a few minutes until softened. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add a little more olive oil to the pan if necessary and then add your chicken pieces. Fry until completely cooked through and no longer pink, then add the veg back in along with the Cajun seasoning and salt to taste. Stir well to combine.
Next add the pasta and chicken stock, cover the pan, and leave to simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir through the cream cheese to make a thick, creamy sauce. Serve immediately with chopped chives to garnish or portion up for your lunches later in the week. Smashed it.
Nutritional info per serving:
| Calories | 516 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 71g |
| Protein | 38g |
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