Louisiana Chicken Pasta: A Flavorful Fusion
Louisiana Chicken Pasta combines the hearty, comforting essence of Italian cuisine with the bold, spicy flavors of Cajun cooking. This dish is a delightful symphony of textures and tastes, featuring tender chicken, creamy sauce, and vibrant vegetables, all tossed with bow-tie pasta. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just spice up your dinner routine, this recipe promises a delicious adventure. Here’s how to bring this flavorful fusion to your table.
Ingredients
To ensure your Louisiana Chicken Pasta is as flavorful as possible, gather the following ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (divided)
- ½ cup Bread crumbs
- ¼ cup Flour
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil, (divided)
- 2 tablespoons Butter, (divided)
- 1 lb Chicken breasts, thin (4 to 5 pieces)
For the Vegetable Mix:
- 8 oz Cremini mushrooms, sliced
- ½ large Yellow bell pepper, chopped
- ½ large Red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 Green onions, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, sliced
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup Chicken stock, sodium-free (adjust salt if not sodium-free)
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 10 oz Bow tie pasta
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
Creating this dish is a journey through flavors and techniques. Here’s your roadmap:
1. Prep the Chicken
- Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels.
- In one bowl, whisk together the egg, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- In a second bowl, combine half of the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and flour.
- Dredge each chicken piece first in the egg mixture, then in the Parmesan mixture, pressing to ensure it sticks. Repeat with all pieces.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Then, remove and set aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add the remaining oil and butter.
- Toss in the mushrooms, cooking for about 3 minutes.
- Add both bell peppers and onions, cooking until softened, then stir in the garlic for an additional minute.
4. Make the Sauce
- Pour the chicken stock, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, and salt into the skillet. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Combine with Pasta
- Cook the pasta as per the package instructions until al dente. Do not rinse after draining.
- Add the cooked pasta directly to the sauce in the skillet, stirring to coat evenly.
- Stir in the remaining Parmesan cheese.
6. Serve
- Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips and place atop the pasta.
- Optionally, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped green onions.
Serving Suggestion
This dish serves up to 4 people, making it perfect for a family dinner or a cozy meal with friends. With a prep time of 20 minutes and a cook time of 30 minutes, you can have this flavorful dish ready in just about 50 minutes, boasting around 800 kcal per serving.
Louisiana Chicken Pasta is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The creamy, spicy sauce, tender chicken, and al dente pasta create a harmony of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Cajun country, with an Italian twist. Enjoy this delightful dish and let the flavors take you on a journey.