Description
This creamy Cajun chicken pasta with whipped roasted garlic feta and crispy chickpeas delivers bold flavor, creamy richness, and crunchy texture all in one bite. It’s an easy yet impressive chicken pasta recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Keywords: creamy Cajun chicken pasta, whipped feta, roasted garlic pasta, spicy chicken pasta, chickpea pasta topping.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
10 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
1 whole garlic bulb
1 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup Greek yogurt or cream cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chickpeas (canned or cooked, drained)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Slice the top off the garlic bulb, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast at 400°F for 30 minutes.
2. Dry the chickpeas, toss with olive oil, salt, and paprika, and roast on a baking sheet at 400°F for 25–30 minutes until crispy.
3. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. Coat chicken breasts in Cajun seasoning and sear in a skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Slice thinly.
5. Blend roasted garlic cloves, feta, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and cream until smooth to make whipped feta.
6. Return pasta to the skillet, stir in whipped feta, and use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Add sliced Cajun chicken, mix, and heat through.
8. Top with crispy chickpeas and grated Parmesan before serving.
Notes
This recipe serves 4 people generously.
Keep chickpeas separate during storage to maintain crispiness.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, Oven
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg