This Classic Cajun-Style Chicken Penne Is Guaranteed To Be A New Family Favorite!
This is one of my favorite recipes to make on a weeknight. It’s easy, flavorful, and comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s also great for leftovers!
Ingredients:
1 pound chicken breasts
- Protein is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining a healthy diet. Chicken is an excellent source of protein, so it’s easy to see why chicken breasts are popular among people who want to keep their bodies strong and healthy.
- Most people think that cooking meat requires hours of preparation time, but this isn’t true! You can cook a whole chicken breast in just 30 minutes—and with only two ingredients: chicken and salt! Just rub some salt on each side of your seasoned boneless skinless chicken breast halves, place them into an oven-safe dish (or aluminum foil packet), add water or broth if desired (this will help keep the meat moist) then bake in your oven at 375°F until done. When ready to serve remove from oven let cool slightly before slicing into strips or cubes before serving over pasta like penne pasta shown here with homemade marinara sauce added for extra flavor appeal… The best part about this meal prep idea? You’ll have plenty leftover too!
1 teaspoon dried thyme
We are going to use 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Thyme is an herb that has a distinct flavor and aroma. It is used in many cuisines, as well as sauces and soups.
1 teaspoon dried basil
Basil is a spice, herb and member of the mint family. It is native to India where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. Its name comes from the Greek word “basilikos” which means “kingly” or “royal.”
Salt and pepper to taste
Season to taste. It’s as simple as that. The best thing about seasoning is that you can really go wild with it—the possibilities are endless. Salt and pepper are good seasonings, but if you want something a little more exciting, try mixing some salt and pepper with other spices like garlic powder or chili powder.
2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices. It usually contains paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme. It’s very spicy!
1 tablespoon olive oil
- Olive oil is a healthy fat that can be used in many ways. It’s very versatile, and you can use it to cook, bake and make salad dressing.
- For example: If you’re making cajun chicken pasta, olive oil can be used to sauté the onions, bell peppers and garlic. Then add chicken broth and tomatoes to create the sauce for your penne pasta!
1/2 onion, chopped
In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant, then stir in the paprika and cayenne pepper. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, chicken stock, salt and pepper; bring to a boil; reduce heat to low; cover partially (to let steam escape) and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until reduced slightly by about half.
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Garlic is a tasty addition to any meal, but it’s also a great source of vitamins and minerals. Garlic provides vitamins A, B6, C and manganese; selenium; and fiber. The phosphorus in garlic can help prevent bone loss due to osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium from food more efficiently.
With all these benefits combined into one delicious ingredient, you’ll want to start adding garlic to your meals more often!
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
Chop the tomatoes. Remove the seeds from the plum tomatoes and cut them into chunks.
To chop a tomato, first cut it in half lengthwise, then use your knife to dice both halves into uniform pieces.
3 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 3 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
Put the penne in a large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until al dente (follow package directions), stirring occasionally. Drain well and set aside.
This is a very good recipe.
It’s a good one to make for your family, or even for guests coming over. I would suggest that you make this when you are trying to impress someone you like and want to date them. In fact, it should be the first thing on your list before you go out on a date!
There are so many things to love about this recipe! It’s easy to make, it tastes great and it’s healthy. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!
