Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Lite (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken and al dente penne in a spicy, creamy Cajun sauce with reduced fat and calories for guilt-free indulgence.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz whole wheat penne

→ Chicken

02 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (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 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add whole wheat penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water. Set aside.
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 strips and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Return chicken to the skillet. Add reduced-fat cream cheese and low-fat milk, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. If sauce becomes too thick, thin with reserved pasta water as needed.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add cooked penne and toss until well combined. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.
07 - Divide pasta mixture among serving bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A balanced meal that is lower in calories and fat than traditional versions.
  • Simple and straightforward preparation using common kitchen tools like a large skillet and pot.
  • Highly customizable with different proteins or spice levels to suit your palate.
02 -
  • Check your Cajun seasoning for added salt before seasoning the chicken to avoid an overly salty dish.
  • Zest the lemon before juicing it to get the most aromatic oil into your pasta sauce.
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