CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

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This Recipe Serves 4

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This Cajun Chicken Pasta has a burst of flavours & is so easy to make.

To make this meal a whole lot easier, Cajun Seasoning can be used which is available at Woolworths. I ran out of that handy spice so I opted to adding the spices that I already had in my pantry.

This recipe uses penne pasta which is en-robed with a rich tomato & cream based sauce, but please feel free to use whichever pasta you prefer.

If you want to level up this pasta, try adding some cooked bacon or macon &/or prawns, or a final dusting of Parmesan cheese – I didn’t have Parmesan on hand so I used Gouda in the pasta. That little bit of extra umami flavor will really take this Cajun Chicken Pasta over the top!

Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredients:

• 3 chicken breasts
• 250 grams pasta (penne)
• ½ onion
• ¼ of each coloured bell peppers (red, yellow, green)
• 1 tomato
• 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt + extra for pasta
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander (dhania) powder
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 2 teaspoons crushed garlic
• 250 ml chicken stock
• 250 ml fresh cream
• 1 cup grated cheese
• water as needed to boil pasta
• freshly chopped coriander (dhania) or parsley for garnishing

Method:

1. Rinse & cut the chicken breasts into cubes.
2. 
3. Peel & chop the onion.
4. 
5. Rinse & cut the robot bell peppers into strips.
6. 
7. Rinse & blend the tomato.
8. 
9. To a pot on medium-high heat, add in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon butter or margarine.
10. 
11. Thereafter, add in the cubed chicken.
12. 
13. Add garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, cracked black pepper, red chili flakes, smoked paprika, chili powder, coriander (dhania) powder, oregano & crushed garlic.
14. 
15. Mix until the chicken is coated in the spices.
16. 
17. Cover & cook for 5 minutes.
18. 
19. After 5 minutes, give it a stir.
20. 
21. Add in the chopped onions.
22. 
23. Add in the sliced bell peppers.
24. 
25. Mix until combined.
26. 
27. Next, I’m using the chicken stock from Woolworths – simply pour in 250 ml boiling water to the stock concentrate & mix thoroughly.
28. 
29. Pour the chicken stock into the pot.
30. 
31. Cover & cook for another 5 minutes.
32. 
33. After 5 minutes, add in the blended tomato.
34. 
35. Mix well.
36. 
37. Cover & cook for a further 5 minutes, this is to ensure that the tomatoes cook.
38. 
39. After 5 minutes, give it a stir, most of the liquid would have been absorbed.
40. 
41. Thereafter, pour in half of the fresh cream (125 ml).
42. 
43. Mix until a saucy base is formed.
44. 
45. Remove from the heat & set aside for a bit.
46. 
47. Next, I’m using Woolworths Penne pasta but feel free to use whichever pasta you prefer.
48. 
49. Fill a deep pot with enough water to boil the pasta. Add salt to taste & 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
50. 
51. Allow the water to come to a boil on medium-high heat.
52. 
53. Once the water reaches a boil, add in 250 grams of pasta.
54. 
55. Give it a stir & allow to cook until al dente.
56. 
57. 
58. Strain the pasta in a colander.
59. 
60. Place the saucy chicken mixture back on the stove-top on medium heat.
61. 
62. Add the strained pasta to the chicken.
63. 
64. Add 1 cup grated cheese, I’ve used Gouda but you may add Parmesan or other cheeses according to your preference.
65. 
66. Pour in the remaining 125 ml of fresh cream.
67. 
68. Mix until everything is well combined.
69. 
70. Allow it to simmer until the sauce thickens, making sure to stir so that it doesn’t burn.
71. 
72. 
73. Once the sauce has thickened, plate & garnish with freshly chopped coriander (dhania) or parsley.
74. 
75. This Cajun Chicken Pasta is so delicious & is perfect for those quick meals during Summer,
76. 
77. Take note that the pasta will become darker & richer in colour as it cools down & absorbs flavours.
78.