Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta – CopyKat Recipes

Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta with creamy Alfredo sauce is an extremely flavorful meal. There isn’t any have to go to the restaurant when you can also make this spicy pasta dish at dwelling.

Copycat Chili's Cajun chicken pasta and garlic bread slices.

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What Makes Copycat Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta So Good?

You haven’t heard of Cajun-Italian cooking earlier than? No shock there; it’s not likely a factor.

However this creamy pasta dish with tender Cajun-spiced hen strips and contemporary tomatoes will make you would like there have been different Cajun-Italians recipes on the market. Possibly there are, however till you discover them, this pasta’s distinctive flavors will preserve you greater than glad.

Why You Ought to Attempt This Recipe

In cooking phrases, à la minute refers to a recipe cooked start-to-finish simply earlier than consuming. Not like most pasta sauces that sit round for hours and even days earlier than serving, the sauce for this Cajun Hen Pasta Chili’s recipe is tremendous contemporary and scrumptious.

Don’t fear, it’s tremendous simple to make, and since you make it in the identical pan, cleanup is a breeze!

Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta Substances

For the Cajun-spiced hen, you’ll want:

Boneless, skinless hen breasts
Cajun seasoning
Olive oil

The precise components in every model of Cajun spice seasoning differ, however most often comprise paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, onion powders, and salt. Slap Ya Mama is a well-known model of Cajun seasoning that doesn’t embody any MSG, however you should use your favourite.

For the pasta sauce, you’ll want:

Unsalted butter
Yellow onion, diced
Garlic, minced
Heavy cream
Lemon zest
Parmesan
Kosher salt
Freshly floor black pepper

To serve copycat Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta, you’ll want:

Cooked penne pasta
Plum tomatoes
Contemporary parsley leaves
Inexperienced onions
Parmesan

You’ll be able to cook dinner the penne forward of time and reheat it in simmering water for about 30 seconds earlier than utilizing it on this recipe.

You need to use any contemporary plum tomatoes you like on this recipe, however Roma tomatoes are in all probability the commonest ones you will see. Don’t use canned tomatoes.

Ingredients for copycat Chili's Cajun chicken pasta.

The right way to Make Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta

Listed below are the steps for making this copycat Chili’s Cajun hen pasta recipe. Notice there’s a printable recipe card under.

To cook dinner the hen:

Trim the hen breasts to take away any further fats or pores and skin, and use paper towels to pat them dry.
Liberally sprinkle the hen breasts with the Cajun seasoning.
Warmth a big pan over medium-high warmth. When the pan is scorching, add the olive oil and wait till it begins to shimmer.
Fastidiously place the hen breasts within the pan. Cook dinner on the primary aspect for six to 7 minutes. Flip over and cook dinner for an additional 5 to six minutes or till the inner temperature reaches 165 levels.
Switch the hen to a plate and canopy it with aluminum foil to maintain it heat.

To make the sauce:

Cube the onions and mince the garlic. Put apart for later.
Return the identical pan you used to cook dinner the hen to the range. Utilizing the identical pan will prevent from further cleansing and add a ton of taste to your sauce.
Soften the butter over medium warmth and saute the diced onions till barely translucent.
Add the garlic and cook dinner for a few minute earlier than whisking within the heavy cream, lemon zest, and grated parmesan.
Proceed whisking till the cream combination begins to bubble and thickens.
Season the sauce with salt and freshly floor black pepper.

Collage of making copycat Chili's Cajun chicken and Alfredo sauce.

To serve copycat Chili’s Cajun Hen Pasta:

Cube the plum tomatoes. Chop the parsley and inexperienced onions. Reserve for garnishing.
If desired, slice the hen into strips.
Add the nice and cozy cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
Plate the sauced pasta and prime with the hen breast or sliced hen.
Garnish the pasta with the prepped plum tomatoes, parsley, inexperienced onions, and parmesan cheese.

Copycat Chili's Cajun chicken pasta dish.

Recipe Variation

Attempt making this dish with grilled or sauteed shrimp or andouille sausage. Combining shrimp, hen, and andouille sausage will give the pasta a extra genuine Cajun taste.

A number of components which can be great additions to this recipe embody:

Inexperienced bell peppers
Chipotle peppers
Mushrooms
Celery
Different greens (broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini)

What to Serve With Cajun Hen Pasta

The sauce is so good that you will have some form of bread to mop up any leftovers. French bread or dinner rolls will work high-quality, however if in case you have time, take into consideration making Commanders Palace’s well-known Garlic Bread for the last word dinner mixture.

A easy inexperienced salad or some steamed or roasted veggies can be nice sides for the dish.

The right way to Retailer Leftover Cajun Hen Pasta

Hold cooked pasta, sauce, hen, and garnishes in separate hermetic containers within the fridge for as much as three days.

The right way to Reheat Chilis Cajun Hen Pasta

Reheat the cooked hen strips with the sauce over low warmth whereas often stirring to stop the sauce from scorching. Chances are you’ll wish to add further heavy cream or milk to the sauce to skinny it out slightly earlier than reheating. Warmth the cooked pasta in simmering water.

Overhead view of copycat Chili's Cajun chicken pasta on a platter.

Extra Chili’s Copycat Recipes

Favourite Hen and Pasta Recipes

Take a look at extra of my simple hen recipes and the most effective copycat Chili’s recipes on CopyKat!