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.