Cajun Chicken Pasta Healthy Food

HEALTHY CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA (GLUTEN-FREE OPTION)

Steps:

• Remove the seeds from the bell peppers and cut the bell peppers into 1/3" strips.
• Cut the mushrooms into 1/4" slices. Set the vegetables aside and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Rub the Cajun seasoning on it.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper strips and saute, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
• Add the sliced mushrooms and saute for another 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender enough for your liking. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper and then remove the vegetables to a medium bowl. Cover with foil or a plate.
• Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the chicken in two batches. Cook the chicken pieces for about 6-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the chicken to the bowl with the vegetables and cover.
• Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. When it's finished, drain it but do not rinse. Return to the pot.
• Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
• Add the minced garlic and cook until soft - about 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Whisk in the milk, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, salt and pepper and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce has thickened slightly - about 3 minutes.
• Add the cream cheese, Pecorino Romano and whisk until completely melted.
• Add the sauce to the prepared pasta and mix until combined. Stir in the vegetables and chicken. Sprinkle with additional cheese and parsley, if desired.
• Serve immediately and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days.

CAJUN CHICKEN & PASTA

Steps:

• Toss chicken with Cajun seasoning; let stand 15 minutes. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain., In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat; saute chicken until no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Remove from pan., In same pan, heat remaining butter over medium-high heat; saute peppers, mushrooms and green onions until peppers are crisp-tender, 6-8 minutes. Stir in cream and seasonings; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until slightly thickened, 4-6 minutes. Stir in pasta and chicken; heat through. Top with tomatoes and basil. Sprinkle with cheese.

CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain when the pasta is still al dente; do not overcook!
• Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice (or more) over the chicken cubes. Toss around to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do not stir. Allow the chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Remove the chicken, leaving the skillet on high heat. Add the remaining butter and olive oil. When heated, add the garlic, peppers and onions. Sprinkle on the remaining Cajun spice, and add salt if needed. Cook over high heat for 1 minute, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black as possible. Add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove all the vegetables from the skillet.
• With the skillet still over high heat, pour in the chicken broth and wine. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook the sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until the cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and/or salt to taste. The sauce should be spicy!
• Finally, add the chicken and vegetables to the sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook until the mixture is bubbly and hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the drained fettuccine and toss to combine.
• Top with chopped fresh parsley and chow down!

ONE-POT CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken just starts to change color and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Add the peppers and onions and cook until they just begin to release some of their juices, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute.
• Add the pasta, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened and reduced by about half, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until the cream cheese is combined and melted. Don't worry if the sauce looks runny, it will thicken as it sits. Top with sliced scallions.

CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Place the chicken and the Cajun seasoning in a plastic bag. Shake to coat. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the chicken in butter or margarine until almost tender (5 to 7 minutes).
• Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, mushrooms and green onion. Saute and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat.
• Add the cream, basil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder and ground black pepper. Heat through. Add the cooked linguine, toss and heat through. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

CAJUN CHICKEN ONE-POT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, shallow saucepan or deep frying pan over a medium heat, then add the chicken, season lightly and fry for 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally until just golden all over - no need to worry about it being cooked through at this stage.
• Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 mins more, then scatter over the Cajun-style seasoning and stir so the chicken pieces are evenly coated. Tip in the tomatoes, a quarter of a can of water and the stock cube. Stir, then bring to a simmer and cook for 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta for a minute less than pack instructions. Stir the cream into the chicken and continue to simmer gently. When the pasta is cooked, drain well and stir into chicken mixture. Finish cooking the pasta in the sauce over a low heat for 2 mins, then stir in the parmesan and lemon juice, and cook for 1 min more. Serve the pasta straight from the pan, or tip into a large serving bowl. Scatter with parsley, if you like, and extra parmesan.

CREAMY CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and toss to coat.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté chicken in butter or margarine until chicken is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Reduce heat add green onion, heavy cream, tomatoes, basil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper and heat through.
• Pour over hot linguine and toss with Parmesan cheese.