Cajun Chicken Pasta with Parmesan Topping
Ingredients:
For Parmesan Topping-
2 Cups Panko bread crumbs
½ Stick Melted Butter
½ bunch fresh Parsley chopped
1 Tbsp granulated garlic
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
For Pasta-
1 Large Green Bell Pepper
1 Large Red Bell Pepper
1 Medium Jalapeno
1 Large Yellow Onion (diced)
¼ lb bacon (diced into small cubes)
2 Chicken Breasts (diced into medium cubes)
4 Tbsp Cajun Seasoning
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
4 Oz Cream Cheese Softened
4 Oz Shredded Pepper-Jack Cheese
8 Oz Shredded Irish Cheddar Cheese (can substitute from regular cheddar)
1/3 Cup Heavy Cream
6oz Penne Pasta
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Instructions:
For Parmesan Topping
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Combine all ingredients in medium sized bowl
Spread mixture out evenly onto foil lined baking sheet and place in oven
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Cook for 15-20 minutes until golden brown
Remove from oven and let cool
For Pasta
Remove tops from bell peppers and jalapeño
Cut peppers in half and deseed
Place peppers face down on foil lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray
Spray tops of peppers with non-stick spray
Season tops of peppers with salt and pepper
Place in oven and let roast until tops of peppers begin to bubble and char
Remove peppers from oven and place in bowl
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let peppers sweat for 5—10 minutes
Remove peppers from bowl and peel off charred skins
Dice peppers and set aside
Heat heavily salted water in a large pot
Add bacon to large heated sauté pan and cook until slightly crispy
Remove cooked bacon and set aside, leaving grease in the pan
Add diced onions to bacon grease and cook until translucent
Add chicken to onions
Add Cajun seasoning making sure to coat chicken completely
While chicken is cooking, add pasta to heated water and cook till al dente. Remove pasta from stove,
turn off heat, and drain the water from the pasta. Return pasta to pot
Once chicken is fully cooked, add diced tomatoes to mixture, allow to cook for 3-5 minutes until mixture begins to bubble
Add cream cheese, pepper-jack and cheddar cheeses to mixture and allow cheese to melt completely
Add heavy cream and let mixture reduce
Add chicken mixture to pasta making sure to coat pasta with sauce completely
Portion pasta into dishes and top with Parmesan topping
Enjoy!!!
*Yields 3 servings
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