Description
This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish combining tender cajun-spiced chicken, roasted cherry tomatoes, and rich garlic herb Boursin cheese. Baked to perfection and mixed with penne pasta, this meal is quick, comforting, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
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 Additional Flavor
- 1 pound penne pasta (or medium pasta shells)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
Instructions
- Preheat 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 make 4 pieces. Coat each piece in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then rub with 3 tablespoons of cajun seasoning. Place the seasoned chicken 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 and cheese with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Roast in Oven: Place the baking sheet with chicken and the casserole dish with tomatoes and cheese into the oven. Roast both for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tomatoes are tender.
- Cook Pasta: While roasting, bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water for later use.
- Remove and Prepare Chicken: After roasting, take the chicken out of the oven and transfer it from the baking sheet to a cutting board. Remove the casserole dish with cheese and tomatoes as well.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning to the casserole dish with Boursin and roasted tomatoes. Stir thoroughly to combine and create a creamy sauce.
- Add Chicken: Dice the roasted chicken and mix it into the pasta and sauce. Serve immediately for a warm, delicious meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- If you don’t have penne, medium pasta shells or any similar pasta will work well.
- Cajun seasoning can be homemade or store-bought; homemade allows for control over salt and spice levels.
- Reserve pasta water is crucial for creating a creamy sauce consistency without adding extra cream or cheese.
- This dish is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated for a day or two.
