Cajun Chicken Pasta

Let me just tell you....so delicious! Really easy to make and it is even better the next day!

Ingredients

12 ounces penne pasta

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup diced white onion

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

4 large cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon paprika powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper**, more or less depending on taste

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces

1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly shredded

1 cup heavy cream, or half and half

4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

¼ cup chicken broth

Instructions

Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot over high heat and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water (so it doesn’t clump, can also toss a little olive oil on it to prevent clumping) and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, add the butter, olive oil and onion to a large pot over medium-high heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.

Add the red bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, basil, paprika, ground black pepper, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 3 more minutes or until the bell pepper starts to become soft.

Add the chicken and stir and cook for another 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Add the parmesan, heavy cream, cream cheese and chicken broth and stir and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken and the cream cheese has fully melted.

Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir to coat pasta with sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then serve with freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired.

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