One-Pot Chicken Pasta with Cajun Seasonings

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This one-pot chicken pasta dish with Cajun seasonings is a snap to whip up. Here we use the technique of stirring often to help the starches release for natural creaminess. We love the spicy flavor profile of Cajun seasoning, but you can substitute different spices depending on what you have on hand.

One-Pot Chicken Pasta with Cajun Seasonings
Photo: Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons paprika

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 4 medium scallions, thinly sliced, greens and whites separated

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

  • 12 ounces whole-grain penne or other short pasta

  • 2 cups unsalted chicken broth

  • 1 (15 ounce) can unsalted fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

  • 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed, softened

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. Combine paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Add chicken; toss to coat.

  2. Heat oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Do not wipe the pan clean. Reduce heat to medium.

  3. Add scallion whites and garlic to the pan; cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in pasta; cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add broth and tomatoes; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente and the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 10 minutes.

  4. Stir in cream cheese and the chicken; cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through, about 1 minute. Sprinkle evenly with scallion greens and parsley.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

580 Calories
15g Fat
71g Carbs
42g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 580
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 71g 26%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 42g 84%
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 92mg 31%
Vitamin A 1396IU 28%
Sodium 644mg 28%
Potassium 820mg 17%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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