Creamy Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta
This creamy and flavorful Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta is inspired by the iconic dish served at TGI Fridays. A perfect blend of sautéed vegetables, tender chicken, and an irresistible spicy Cajun sauce, this dish offers a delightful explosion of taste in every bite. The rich and zesty flavor profile pairs beautifully with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta, making it an ideal meal for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home. Enjoy this comfort food that balances spice and creaminess, sure to impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fettuccine pasta
10 ounces (cooked)
Spicy Cajun pasta sauce
1 cup (see below)
Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon (grated)
Boneless skinless chicken breast
1 (cooked and sliced)
Parsley
1 teaspoon (chopped)
Olive oil
2 ounces (for sautéing)
Garlic
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Onion
1/2 cup (cut into large chunks)
Green bell pepper
1/2 cup (cut into large chunks)
Red bell pepper
1/2 cup (cut into large chunks)
Cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon (to taste)
Chicken stock
1 cup (low-sodium preferred)
V-8 vegetable juice
1 cup
Cornstarch
to thicken (mixed with water)
Salt
to taste
Black pepper
to taste (freshly cracked)
Instructions
1
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add chopped garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
3
Stir in the onion and cook for one minute until slightly softened, then add the green and red bell peppers, sautéing for another minute until they start to soften.
4
Carefully deglaze the pan with chicken stock, allowing it to simmer and reduce by half, which will intensify the flavors.
5
Pour in the V-8 vegetable juice and sprinkle in the cayenne pepper, stirring to combine.
6
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
7
To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry, then add it to the sauce, stirring consistently until the desired consistency is reached.
8
Season the sauce with salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
9
Once the sauce is thickened, add the cooked fettuccine pasta into the pan, tossing it gently to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and heated thoroughly.
10
Transfer the pasta to a serving dish, arrange the sliced cooked chicken breast on top, and generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta?
This is a flavorful dish inspired by TGI Fridays, featuring sautéed vegetables, tender chicken, and a spicy Cajun sauce tossed with fettuccine.
Which restaurant inspired this recipe?
The recipe is a copycat version of the iconic Cajun pasta served at TGI Fridays.
What type of pasta is used in this dish?
The recipe specifically calls for 10 ounces of cooked fettuccine pasta.
How is the chicken prepared for this recipe?
The recipe uses one boneless skinless chicken breast that should be cooked and sliced before being placed on top of the pasta.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce includes chopped garlic, onions, and both green and red bell peppers.
How should the vegetables be cut?
The onions, green bell peppers, and red bell peppers should be cut into large chunks.
What gives the sauce its spicy kick?
The spice comes from the addition of cayenne pepper and the spicy Cajun pasta sauce base.
What unique juice is used in the sauce?
One cup of V-8 vegetable juice is used to add depth and flavor to the sauce.
How do you thicken the Cajun sauce?
The sauce is thickened using a slurry made from cornstarch mixed with a small amount of water.
What is the first step in the cooking instructions?
The first step is to heat two ounces of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering.
How long should I sauté the garlic?
The chopped garlic should be sautéed for about 30 seconds, or until it becomes fragrant.
When do I add the bell peppers?
Add the bell peppers after cooking the onion for one minute, then sauté the peppers for an additional minute.
What is used to deglaze the pan?
The pan is deglazed with one cup of chicken stock, preferably low-sodium.
Why is the chicken stock reduced during cooking?
The stock is reduced by half to intensify the flavors of the sauce.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
Once the V-8 juice and cayenne are added, the mixture should simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes.
What seasonings are added at the end?
The sauce is seasoned with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
How do I combine the pasta and sauce?
Add the cooked fettuccine directly into the pan with the thickened sauce and toss gently until evenly coated and heated.
What are the recommended garnishes for this dish?
The dish is garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce is described as creamy, rich, and zesty.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, one of the tags for this recipe is 'quick meal', making it suitable for a cozy weeknight dinner.
How much cayenne pepper should I use?
The recipe suggests 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, or more to taste if you prefer it spicier.
Can I use regular salt and pepper?
Yes, though the recipe recommends freshly cracked black pepper for the best flavor profile.
What type of cheese is best for this pasta?
One tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese is used to add a salty, nutty finish to the dish.
Does the recipe require fresh or dried parsley?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of chopped parsley, which is typically fresh for garnishing.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 16 ingredients used to create this Creamy Spicy Cajun Chicken Pasta.
What cooking oil is recommended?
Two ounces of olive oil are recommended for sautéing the aromatics and vegetables.
Is this dish considered Italian or Cajun?
It is a fusion dish, tagged as both Italian (for the pasta) and Cajun (for the spice profile).
How much V-8 juice do I need?
You will need one cup of V-8 vegetable juice for the sauce base.
What type of chicken stock should I buy?
A low-sodium chicken stock is preferred for this recipe to better control the saltiness.
How is the final dish served?
The pasta is transferred to a serving dish, topped with sliced chicken, and then sprinkled with cheese and parsley.