Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients (Serves 5)
1. Pasta – 1 pound (Use any pasta you prefer)
2. Chicken breast / thighs – Around 300 gm, cut into bite-sized pieces
3. Cajun seasoning – Around 1 tbsp (Recipe below)
4. Olive oil – 1.5 tbsp
5. Butter – 1 tbsp
6. Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
Onion – 1/2 large, thickly sliced
Mushroom – 250 gm, sliced
Bell pepper, red, green and yellow/orange – 3/4 cup each
7. Chicken stock – 1 cup
8. Heavy cream – 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp
9. Salt and pepper – To season
10. Parmesan cheese – 4 – 5 tbsp, grated
11. Fresh parsley – 2- 3 tsp, finely chopped
Method
1. Combine chicken pieces with the Cajun seasoning and set aside for 10- 15 minutes.
2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions adding salt and 1 tsp olive oil, till al dente.
3. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil and butter in a wide pan. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and done. Remove to a plate. In the remaining oil, add garlic, onion and mushroom. Saute for a few minutes and then add bell pepper slices. Cook for 3- 4 minutes and add the chicken stock. Cook for 5 – 6 minutes. Add heavy cream, salt, pepper powder and mix well.
4. When the pasta is done (I cook an additional minute or two since I like tender pasta), drain the pasta and add to the prepared sauce. Mix well and switch off. Top with grated parmesan cheese, finely chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Cajun seasoning recipe
Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
Chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
Paprika – 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder – 1/4 tsp
Garlic powder – 1/2 tsp
Onion powder – 1/4 tsp
Dried oregano – 1/2 tsp
Dried thyme – 1/2 tsp
Dried basil – 1/4 tsp
Salt – A little less than 1/2 tsp
Mix all the above ingredients for Cajun spice mix.
