CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders 

• 2 tsp Cajun to taste 

• Spray of oil 

Pasta Sauce:

• 1 small red bell pepper, cut in half

• 1/2 small white onion

• 5-10 cloves garlic 

• 1 jalapeño, but in half

• 1 shallot, cut in half

• 3 Calabrian chilis 

• 3 sun dried tomatoes 

• 8-12 oz heavy cream 

• Cajun to taste

• 2-4 oz Parmesan cheese 

• 1 Tbsp Salt (or to taste)

• 12 oz linguine

To Finish:

• 2 Tbsp butter

• Fresh parsley, to garnish

• Parmesan, to garnish

Directions

Step 1

Spray chicken tenders with olive oil spray.  Sprinkle Cajun seasoning on chicken, and massage into chicken until completely coated.

Step 2

Spray a small amount of olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until browned and almost cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.  Remove chicken breast.  Set aside and allow to rest.  Do not clean the pan, just set aside for making the sauce.

Step 3

To a food processor add red bell pepper, white onion, garlic, jalapeño, shallot, Calabrian chilis, sun dried tomatoes.  Roughly chop in processor, occasionally scraping down sides for 30 – 60  seconds. The mixture will be chunky.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 9 minutes. Once pasta is done, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain.

Step 5

To deglaze pan, lightly spray with olive oil. Next, add 3/4 of the sauce mixture from the food processor to the pan. Stir while scraping the bottom of the pan with a spoon to get all those tasty bits up.  This will concentrate the flavor.  Allow to cook for 3-5 minutes. Let the pasta water reduce some. Add cream, and extra Cajun seasoning to your preferred taste.  Simmer for about 1 minute, then add Parmesan cheese.  Continue to simmer until the sauce is thick and creamy. Add cooked pasta and stir to combine.

Step 6

Cut cooked and rested chicken into bite-sized cubes. 

Step 7

To another pan, lightly spray with olive oil, add remaining 1/4 pasta sauce mixture from food processor, then add chicken, and butter.  Gently combine.  Top with fresh parsley and more Parmesan cheese.  Serve hot and enjoy!