Description
This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken breasts with garlic herb Boursin cheese, juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. The Cajun seasoning adds a spicy kick balanced by the richness of the cheese, making it an easy and delicious bake that comes together in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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 Flavorings
- 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 (200°C) to prepare for roasting the chicken and vegetables.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner pieces. Coat the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then evenly sprinkle 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning over all sides. Place the seasoned chicken pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- 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 of olive oil and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Gently mix to combine.
- Roast Chicken and Vegetables: Place both the baking sheet with chicken and the casserole dish with cheese and tomatoes into the preheated oven. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes are soft and bursting.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken and tomatoes are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water; then drain the pasta.
- Rest Chicken and Remove from Oven: Remove the baking dish and chicken sheet from the oven. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board to rest and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: To the baking dish containing the roasted Boursin cheese and cherry tomatoes, add the drained pasta along with the reserved pasta water. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce, mixing thoroughly to create a creamy sauce.
- Add Chicken and Serve: Fold the diced chicken into the pasta and sauce mixture. Serve immediately while warm for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce according to your spice preference.
- If you prefer, substitute penne with medium pasta shells or any other medium-sized pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and create a creamy consistency.
- Letting the chicken rest after roasting keeps it juicy.
- If you want extra heat, add additional hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
