Lighter take on classic Cajun pasta with juicy chicken, al dente penne, and creamy spiced sauce in just 40 minutes.
# 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 instructions until al dente. Drain pasta while reserving 1/4 cup of cooking water for sauce adjustment. 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, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a clean 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 minute more until fragrant.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add reduced-fat cream cheese and low-fat milk, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. If sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
06 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add cooked penne and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Transfer to serving bowls or plates. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
