Cajun Chicken Pasta in Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce
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This Cajun Chicken Pasta is unlike any other Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe. It is kicked up a level with the most amazing creamy, flavor bursting Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce and juicy, spice rubbed melt in your mouth chicken! It's full of fresh, colorful veggies, and you can customize the heat of the pasta by adding more or less cayenne pepper. This is one pasta that is sure to be a new family favorite!
Ingredients
Instructions
Cook fettuccine in salted water according to package directions just until al dente. Reserve 1/3 cup pasta water then strain and set aside.
Chicken: In a small bowl, mix 2-3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) with 1 tablespoon olive oil and rub evenly all over chicken breasts. Let chicken sit while you prepare your vegetables OR refrigerate up to overnight.
Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once very hot, add chicken and cook, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely browned (or blackened if you prefer) on one side. Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-7 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and let rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.
Peppers: Add enough olive oil to remaining oil in pan to equal 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat over medium high heat. Add peppers, onions and 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and saute for one minute. Remove to a plate.
Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo: Wipe out skillet and heat 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and saute for one minute. Sprinkle in flour and continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Turn heat to low and stir in chicken broth. Whisk cornstarch with milk and add to pan along with tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a simmer and continue to cook and stir until sauce is thickened (but not overly thick), approximately 5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese until melted, followed by Parmesan cheese until melted. Add pasta, peppers and toss evenly to coat, adding desired amount of reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency. Top pasta with chicken or toss chicken with pasta.
Garnish individual servings with plenty of freshly squeezed lime juice, Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired. If you like it spicier, sprinkle a little cayenne dusting over top but be careful - a little cayenne goes a long way. Enjoy!
