Spicy & Creamy Cajun Pasta Bake
This hearty pasta bake delivers a bold Cajun kick. Chicken is marinated in Cajun spices, then cooked with sweet peppers, spring onions, and mushrooms. A creamy sauce made from tomatoes, chipotle, and garlic simmers with the chicken before being combined with part-cooked penne. Topped with parmesan cheese, the dish is baked until bubbling and golden, creating a wonderfully spicy and comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 4 tablespoons cajun dry rub seasonings or 1 cup cajun marinade
- 1/2 lb penne pasta (or other)
- 1 cup diced sweet red pepper
- 1 cup thinly sliced spring onion
- 1 cup diced mushroom
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt & pepper
- parmesan cheese
Method
- Coat the cubed chicken breast with the Cajun dry rub or marinade and refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Place the whipping cream, drained diced tomatoes, garlic cloves, chipotle chile, and salt and pepper into a blender. Process until smooth and set the sauce aside.
- Cook the marinated chicken in olive oil until nearly cooked through, then add the diced red pepper, sliced spring onion, and diced mushroom. Continue cooking until the vegetables have softened.
- Reduce the heat and pour the prepared cream sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Allow it to simmer for 30-45 minutes.
- Heat your oven to 350 degrees.
- As the sauce simmers, boil the penne pasta until it is only half cooked. Once the sauce has thickened slightly, stir the pasta into it until well coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for a further 10-12 minutes.
- Take the bake from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
Sodium107500 mg
Recipe details
CategoryCajun
Cuisineitalian
AuthorEmily Jane
