Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta couldn't be any more delicious if it tried! Better still, it makes the perfect quick and easy family dinner. Serves 4 big portions, 5 modest.
Equipment:

Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

12" Frying Pan & Wooden Spoon

Pot & Colander (for pasta)

Zip Lock Bag (for marinade)

Jug (for stock & Cream)

Fine Grater (for parmesan)

Ingredients (check list):Chicken

2x 9oz/250g Chicken Breasts

1 tbsp each: Lime Juice, Olive Oil, Cajun Seasoning

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Pasta

10.5oz/300g Penne

1 cup / 250ml Double/Heavy Cream

1 cup / 250ml Chicken Stock

3.5oz / 100g Button Mushrooms, sliced

1.7oz / 50g Parmesan, plus extra to serve

2 tbsp Unsalted Butter

1 heaped tbsp Fresh Parsley, finely diced, plus extra to serve

1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning

1 heaped tsp Garlic, minced

2 small Peppers, finely diced

1 medium Onion, finely diced

Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Olive Oil, as needed

Lime Juice, to serve (optional)

Instructions:

Butterfly your 2 chicken breasts to make 4 even sized breasts. Combine in a zip lock bag with 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lime juice and 1 tbsp cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Marinate for as long as you have time for (up to overnight).

Bring to room temp and fry over medium-high heat until nicely charred on each side and white through the centre. Rest on a chopping board until needed, then slice into thin strips.

Meanwhile, pop 10.5oz/300g pasta in salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining.

Fry 3.5oz/100g mushrooms until soft in leftover oil from the chicken (or more as needed). Add 2 peppers and 1 onion and continue frying until golden. Add 1 heaped tsp garlic and fry for a couple mins longer. Add 1 tbsp Cajun Seasoning, fry for a minute, then melt in 2 tbsp butter.

Pour in 1 cup/250ml chicken stock, bring to a gentle simmer, then pour in 1 cup/250ml cream. Allow to simmer (stirring occasionally) until it begins to thicken. Add 1.7oz/50g parmesan, 1 tbsp parsley and seasoning to taste. Add pasta and chicken, then stir until evenly combined and the sauce thickened (add a splash of starchy pasta water if needed).

Serve with extra parmesan/parsley and a squeeze of lime juice (optional).

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