Description
This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken with rich garlic herb Boursin cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. The dish is finished with a touch of hot sauce for an added spicy kick, making it a hearty, comforting meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Cheese and Vegetables
- 10.4 ounces Garlic Herb Boursin Cheese (two 5.2 ounce packages)
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (20-24 ounces or 4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Seasonings
- 1 pound penne pasta (or medium pasta shells)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting the chicken and vegetables.
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thinner pieces. Coat them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet.
- Assemble cheese and tomatoes: In a 9×13 inch oven-safe casserole dish, add the Boursin cheese and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the tomatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Roast chicken and vegetables: Place both the baking sheet with chicken and casserole dish with cheese and tomatoes into the oven. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tomatoes are tender.
- Cook the pasta: While the chicken and veggies roast, bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and set aside.
- Finish the dish: Remove the baking dish and chicken from the oven. Transfer the chicken from the baking sheet to a cutting board and dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and the remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning to the baking dish with Boursin and roasted tomatoes. Stir well to combine, then fold in the diced chicken. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Adjust the hot sauce quantity to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- For extra creaminess, you can add a splash of heavy cream or milk when mixing the pasta.
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning or a good-quality store-bought blend for the best flavor.
- Reserve pasta water helps create a silky sauce by loosening the baked cheese and tomato mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
