Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Whipped Roasted Garlic Feta and Crispy Chickpeas is a flavor-packed dinner featuring spicy Cajun chicken, silky whipped feta sauce, and crunchy roasted chickpeas. Perfect for cozy nights or easy entertaining, this pasta dish is rich, creamy, and satisfying with every bite.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
6 oz feta cheese
1 head garlic
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Peel garlic cloves, toss with olive oil, and roast at 400°F until soft and golden.
2. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and Cajun seasoning; roast until crispy.
3. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
4. Slice chicken and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in olive oil until cooked through.
5. Blend roasted garlic, feta, olive oil, lemon juice, and a bit of water until smooth and fluffy.
6. In the chicken skillet, heat heavy cream, then stir in whipped feta and reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.
7. Add pasta and chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly in the sauce.
8. Plate the pasta and top with crispy chickpeas and optional extra feta. Serve hot.
Notes
This dish tastes best fresh but can be stored for up to 3 days.
Keep chickpeas separate to retain crispiness.
Reheat pasta gently with added cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 105mg