Description
This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, comforting dish featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken breasts baked alongside creamy garlic herb Boursin cheese and juicy cherry tomatoes. Tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta and a hint of hot sauce, this one-pan recipe delivers a deliciously creamy and spicy pasta dinner that’s ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 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)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Other
- 1 pound penne pasta (or medium pasta shells)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting the chicken and the cheese with tomatoes.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner pieces. Coat the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, ensuring even coverage. 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 and Cheese Mixture: Place both the baking sheet with chicken and the casserole dish with cheese and tomatoes into the oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tomatoes start to soften.
- Cook Pasta: While baking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the baking dishes from the oven. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning to the casserole dish with the Boursin and tomatoes. Stir well to create a creamy sauce.
- Serve: Dice the roasted chicken and mix it into the pasta. Serve immediately while warm, enjoying a creamy, spicy, and flavorful pasta dish.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to control the spice level.
- Using penne or medium pasta shells works best because the sauce clings well to these shapes.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and achieve desired creaminess.
- If you don’t have Garlic Herb Boursin cheese, you can substitute with cream cheese mixed with garlic and herbs.
- Make sure chicken is cooked through; internal temperature should reach 165°F for safe consumption.
