Description
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe features juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, a rich whipped roasted garlic feta sauce, and crunchy roasted chickpeas for a delightful contrast in textures and flavors. It’s a comforting and impressive dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt to taste
- 250g (about 9 oz) spaghetti or linguine
- Salted water for boiling pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 head garlic
- 8 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken cubes with Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika (if using), and salt. Let it sit for at least 15-30 minutes.
- Roast the garlic: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice off the top of the garlic head, drizzle with oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30-40 minutes until soft.
- Prepare the chickpeas: Ensure chickpeas are thoroughly drained and patted dry. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Crisp the chickpeas: Add the prepared chickpeas to the same skillet (or bake in the preheated oven alongside the garlic if preferred) and cook until golden and crispy.
- Make the whipped feta: Once roasted, squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins into a blender or food processor. Add the crumbled feta, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chickpeas. Pour the whipped feta sauce over the pasta and chickpeas. Add the cooked chicken.
- Toss: Gently toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Divide the creamy Cajun chicken pasta among bowls. Top with extra crispy chickpeas and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crispy chickpeas, ensure they are very dry before cooking.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level.
- Room temperature feta blends more smoothly into the whipped sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing and Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
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