Cajun Chicken Pasta with Spinach
My love for cajun seasoning started when I did the Whole30 program. As soon as I tasted it when I made this, there was an instant special connection between the cajun seasoning and me. The love for pasta, of course, started a long, long ago… I have seen recipes using cajun seasoning in pasta, but I never had a chance to try them. Knowing that I am madly in love with the seasoning, I thought ‘why not?’. So… this Cajun Chicken Pasta with Spinach became an instant favorite.
Don’t be intimidated with the long list of ingredients – they will make your pasta so so good! And you may already have them on hand, especially if you are a pasta lover like me. The cajun seasoning – I always make them. You can use store-bought ones, of course, but making your own is so much better. 😉
This dish is so tasty. The chicken is cooked perfectly – so tender. The veggies added extraordinary something to the dish. Take note – do not skip the tomatoes. I think they are there for a special reason. The moment you’ll taste them with the pasta – you’ll know what I mean. 😀 I’ve been eating a lot of unhealthy foods lately so I added spinach to this dish to pretend that this is something healthy. Ha! Who am I kidding??
Seriously, you have to try this! I am not telling you to eat this everyday, but at least treat yourself with a good pasta dish when it’s your cheat day. What’d you say??
I am sharing this with my amazing friends at Angie’s Fiesta Friday #229. Thanks to our solo co-host, Liz @ Spades, Spatulas & Spoons.
Cajun Chicken Pasta with Spinach
Ingredients
- 150 g pasta cooked (I used penne)
For the chicken:
- 3 thinly sliced tender chicken breasts
- 1 egg
- 30 g parmesan cheese grated
- 70 g breadcrumbs
- 20 g all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Olive oil to fry the chicken
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 100 g brown mushroom
- ¼ cup yellow bell pepper
- ¼ cup red bell pepper
- ¼ cup tomatoes chopped
- 2 fat cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 250 ml heavy cream
- 250 ml chicken stock I just dissolved 1 chicken cube in 250 ml warm water
- 60 g parmesan cheese grated
- A handful of baby spinach
- Salt to taste
To serve:
- Parmesan cheese grated
- Chopped tomatoes optional
Instructions
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Please make sure to have your ingredients ready.
For the chicken:
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In a shallow dish, add cheese, bread crumbs, flour, salt, oregano and thyme. Mix to combine.
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In another dish, add egg and beat.
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Take a piece of thinly sliced chicken and coat it with the dry mixture, then dip it in the egg to coat then back to the dry mixture.
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In a frying pan over medium heat, add olive oil.
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Fry chicken about 5 minutes on each side and place on a stack of paper towels to drain excess oil.
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While chicken is frying, let's do the sauce.
(Just make sure to check the chicken in order not to burn it.)
For the sauce:
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In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil.
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Add mushrooms and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes or until soft.
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Add all-purpose flour, Cajun seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes, heavy cream, chicken stock and the cooked mushrooms. Simmer on low-medium heat until thick (about 5 minutes).
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Add parmesan cheese. Also, add salt at this point and do a taste test. You can add more Cajun seasoning and paprika if necessary.
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Add cooked pasta and mix until well coated.
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Turn off the heat and add baby spinach and mix until wilted.
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Transfer to serving plate or individual plates. Top with sliced chicken, grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh tomatoes.
I am also sharing this at
Happiness is Homemade | What’s for Dinner? | Mix it up Monday | Melt in your Mouth Monday | What’d You Do This Weekend? | Totally Terrific Tuesday | Cook Blog Share | Delicious Dishes Recipe Party | Recipe of the Week | Tasty Tuesday | Party in Your PJ’s |
24 Comments
Cat
Love the sound of this recipe, the flavours sound so tasty!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
It was delicious! Thanks, Cat! x
LINDA
Hi, love your post. I would like to invite you to come share this on the CLASSY FLAMINGOS BLOG PARTY held each Tuesday evening thru Friday. You’ll get large picture exposure and shout outs on all of my social media sites. And if you get PINKED you get even more exposure! I hope you’ll come by. poinsettiadr.com
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Hello, Linda. Thanks a bunch for the invite. Apologies for the delay reply – life has been so busy. 🙂 Take care! x
FrugalHausfrau
Jhuls, this looks divine and a step above most of the Cajun Pastas I’ve seen (and I’ve even made a few) Ilove that you added veggies!! Not just to be healthy but otherwiise these can be too heavy. Delicious!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
I know. One REGULAR serving is enough for one person – haha! Thanks, Mollie. x
Jenny Walters
I love the sound of this dish.Just from the ingredients alone I know that it’s full of flavour!I love all that is Cajun too.Pinned!Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Hey, Jenny! I am glad to know that you enjoyed this dish when I brought it to #CookBlogShare. 😀 Thanks for hosting! x
joskitchenlarder
Indulgent and delicious plus I do love cajun seasoning too so definitely a winner in my book 🙂 x
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Yay! Thanks, Jo. This has become my favorite pasta! 😀
Donna Dundas
Such a good family meal! We all love anything chicken and pasta! #CookBlogShare
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Thanks, Donna. Pasta is one of the best comfort foods. 🙂
Corina Blum
This has reminded me that I haven’t made anything with cajun seasoning for so long but it is so good – I need to get my acdt together!
Corina Blum
And thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice as well!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
And thanks for hosting & for stopping by. x
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
This is my first time using cajun seasoning in pasta and I loved it! Thanks, Corina. x
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons
Thanks for bringing this delicious pasta dish to FF!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Hello, Liz. It was my pleasure. Apologies for the late response. x
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Have a wonderful week.
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Thanks a lot for stopping by, Helen. x
Monika
Sounds super delicious!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Thank you, Monika. Have a lovely week! x
NoPlateLikeHome.com
Looks delicious. Heavy cream and Parmesan cheese? Yum!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Thank you! I am glad you liked it. Have a lovely weekend! x