Description
This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken, garlic herb Boursin cheese, and juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, all tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta for a comforting and delicious meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for chicken)
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided)
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 (for tomatoes)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta (or medium pasta shells)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting the chicken, cheese, and tomatoes.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner pieces. Coat them evenly with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning. Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet.
- Prepare 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 olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Roast Chicken, Cheese, and Tomatoes: Place both the baking sheet with chicken and the casserole dish in the oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tomatoes are soft.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken and vegetables roast, bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stovetop. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Remove from Oven and Prep Chicken: Take out the baking dish with cheese and tomatoes and the baking sheet with chicken from the oven. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and the remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning to the casserole dish with the Boursin and roasted tomatoes. Stir well to combine and create a creamy sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir the diced chicken into the pasta mixture and serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- You can substitute the penne pasta with other medium pasta shapes like shells or rigatoni.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water is key to helping create a creamy sauce without adding extra cream.
- Use a sharp knife for slicing the chicken breasts evenly to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
