Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Lite (Printable)

Lighter take on classic Cajun comfort: tender chicken strips and al dente penne in a spicy, creamy sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz whole wheat penne

→ Chicken

02 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), sliced into strips
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
10 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

13 - 2/3 cup reduced-fat cream cheese
14 - 1/2 cup low-fat milk
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water for sauce adjustment.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine chicken strips with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Return chicken to skillet. Add cream cheese and milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Add reserved pasta water if sauce becomes too thick.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add cooked penne and toss thoroughly to combine. Season to taste.
07 - Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • High in protein with 32g per serving to keep you satisfied.
  • Quick and easy to prepare in just 40 minutes total time.
  • Uses reduced-fat cream cheese and milk for a lighter, creamy texture.
  • Whole wheat pasta adds fiber and a hearty nutritional boost.
02 -
  • Use a large skillet to ensure the chicken and vegetables have enough room to sear properly without steaming.
  • Double-check your Cajun seasoning label to ensure it is gluten-free if necessary.
  • If the sauce thickens too much upon cooling, add a splash of warm milk or pasta water to loosen it up.
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