Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is an easy weeknight meal with seasoned chopped chicken, grain-free penne pasta, and chopped tomatoes. It's a one-pot, dairy-free version of creamy cajun alfredo.
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How to make this recipe
The first step in making this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is to cut the chicken breasts in 1-inch. thick strips and toss with the cajun spices.
Second, heat up some cooking oil such as avocado oil and pan sear the chicken on both sides until brown. Add the yellow onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add the canned cocnut milk, diced tomatoes, and chicken stock. Allow the coconut cream to completely melt then add the grain-free penne pasta. Move the pasta around until it's submerged in the liquid. Lastly, cover the pan and place it in a preheated 350-degree oven. Set a timer for 20 minutes and allow to finish cooking in the oven.
When the timer goes off, take the pan out of the oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Cajun Seasoning
Making homemade cajun seasoning is very easy and you most likely already have the ingredients in your pantry. The recipe consists of mixing together:
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Jovial Foods Grain-free Penne Pasta
If you're like me and are on a restricted diet, finding foods to eat at family dinners or to replace your old favorites can be difficult. Leaving foods out of your diet can leave you feeling like you're missing out and feeling deprived. Having companies like Jovial Foods make replacements that taste good and taste like the real thing is amazing.
The grain-free penne from Jovial foods is what you will want to use for this recipe. Jovial Foods is a food product company making all kinds of pasta. When I used to eat gluten-free and not strictly paleo, their rice-based pasta was always my favorite. It wasn't like other gluten-free pasta that turned to mush but rather felt slightly firm and held up well to meat sauces. They recently came out with a cassava-based grain-free pasta line including grain-free orzo, fusilli, and penne, and of course, it's my favorite grain-free pasta!
Substitutions
Replacing the coconut milk
Dairy milk
If you consume dairy, this recipe can easily be adapted to use heavy cream. Simply replace the coconut cream with heavy cream.
Non-dairy milk
If you are not a big coconut fan, you can use another non-dairy milk in this recipe. Please note that coconut milk is very creamy so replacing it with almond milk or cashew milk may result in a thinner sauce.
How to store leftovers
Store any leftover cajun chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
How to heat up leftovers
In the oven
Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish and add a touch of water to the dish. The water creates steam and keeps the pasta moist while it reheats. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes.
On the stovetop
Add the leftovers to a medium sized pot with a bit of water. Gently heat the pasta while continuously stirring until warm.
Microwave
Place any leftovers in a microwave safe dish and reheat until warm. I also like to add a sprinkle of water to the dish to create steam and to keep the pasta from drying out.
The type of pan I use to make this recipe
Le Creuset recently came out with their Enameled Cast Iron Braiser and it has been one of my favorite additions to my kitchen. I use it to make this Cajun Chicken Pasta along with everyday foods like frying bacon, making eggs, etc... It is chip and crack resistant, easy cleanup, and most importantly, gets the best sear on meat and prevents sticking. It's a great skillet to have in your pots and pans repertoire and I highly recommend it.
Looking for more easy weeknight meals? Make sure to check out Za'atar Chicken with Grain-free Orzo and Herbed Tahini Dressing, Honey-Mustard Sheet Pan Salmon, and Sweet & Sour Beef Meatballs.
One Pan Cajun Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1.5-2 # chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp cooking oil such as avocado oil
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
- 1 14.5 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- juice of ½ lemon
- 1 box Jovial Grain-free Penne Pasta
- chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small dish, combine paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne , sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Set aside.
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1 inch thick strips. Add the cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Toss the chicken in the cajun chicken seasoning and coat well. Sear the chicken in the oil until brown. Flip and brown on the other side. Do not worry about cooking the chicken all the way through. It will finish cooking in the oven.
- Add the diced yellow onion to the chicken and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the canned coconut milk, diced tomatoes, chicken stock and stir around. Once the coconut cream has melted, add the Jovial Grain-free Penne Pasta and stir around making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet and place it in the oven. Set a timer for 20 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and enjoy!
Nutrition
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