Description
This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, creamy, and spicy dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts roasted alongside garlic herb Boursin cheese and juicy cherry tomatoes, combined with perfectly cooked penne pasta. The result is a comforting, well-balanced meal that delivers a delightful kick of heat with every bite, finished with a touch of hot sauce and cajun seasoning for extra depth.
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 Seasoning
- 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 vegetable mixture.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts lengthwise to create 4 thin pieces. Coat each piece with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then evenly sprinkle 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning over them. Place the seasoned chicken on a baking sheet.
- Arrange Cheese and Tomatoes: In a 9×13 inch oven-safe casserole dish, combine the Boursin cheese and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the tomatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Roast Chicken and Vegetables: Place both the baking sheet with chicken and the casserole dish with cheese and tomatoes into the oven. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes are softened.
- Cook Pasta: While roasting, bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Remove and Slice Chicken: Once cooked, take the casserole dish and baking sheet out of the oven. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the casserole dish with the Boursin and tomatoes. Stir everything together until well combined. Fold in the diced chicken, mixing thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately while warm and enjoy the creamy, spicy, and savory combination of flavors.
Notes
- Adjust hot sauce quantity according to your spice preference to control the heat level.
- You can substitute penne pasta with other medium pasta shapes like shells or rigatoni.
- Make sure to slice chicken breasts evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Reserve pasta water is important as it helps loosen and bind the sauce to the pasta.
- For a richer flavor, you may add freshly chopped parsley or grated Parmesan as a garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
