Cajun Chicken Pasta
Recipe GLPRe3d4d0940caebb
A creamy, aromatic pasta dish featuring tender chicken in a rich Cajun-spiced tomato and cream sauce. The chicken is seared until golden, then simmered with garlic, tomatoes, and stock before being tossed with al dente penne and finished with a touch of double cream, parmesan, and fresh lemon juice. This comforting one-pan meal is perfect for serving a crowd.
Save recipes you love
Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
400g chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 tbsp Cajun-style seasoning
400g canned chopped tomatoes
1 chicken stock cube, crumbled
500g penne pasta
150ml double cream
20g parmesan cheese, finely grated
½ lemon, juiced
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Extra parmesan cheese to serve
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large, shallow saucepan or deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken chunks, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outside is golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle the Cajun-style seasoning over the chicken and stir to coat all pieces evenly. Add the canned tomatoes and pour in one-quarter of a can of water. Crumble in the stock cube and stir well. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
While the chicken sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne for one minute less than the package instructions indicate, then drain well.
Stir the double cream into the chicken and sauce mixture, then gently simmer over low heat. Add the drained pasta to the pan and fold it into the chicken mixture. Continue cooking over low heat for 2 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the sauce and finish cooking through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Cook for 1 minute more to allow the cheese to melt slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve the pasta directly from the pan or transfer to a large serving bowl. Scatter fresh chopped parsley over the top if desired, and offer extra grated parmesan at the table for guests to add as they prefer.
