Description

This Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful, creamy, and spicy one-dish meal featuring tender cajun-seasoned chicken breasts roasted alongside garlic herb Boursin cheese and cherry tomatoes. Combined with perfectly cooked penne pasta and a touch of hot sauce, this dish offers a delightful blend of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors with minimal effort and a quick 40-minute cook time.

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)

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Instructions

Preheat oven. Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to get it ready for roasting the chicken and vegetables.
Prepare the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thinner pieces. Coat the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then rub in 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning evenly. Place the seasoned chicken pieces on a baking sheet.
Prepare the 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, then season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper for enhanced flavor.
Roast chicken and cheese mixture. 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 tender.
Cook pasta. While the baking is underway, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop. Add the penne pasta or shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
Remove dishes from oven. Take the casserole dish and baking sheet out of the oven. Transfer the cooked chicken from the baking sheet onto a cutting board for slicing.
Combine pasta with sauce. To the casserole dish with the melted Boursin and roasted tomatoes, add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Stir everything thoroughly to create a creamy, spicy sauce coating the pasta.
Slice chicken and serve. Dice the roasted chicken into bite-sized pieces and gently fold into the pasta mixture. Serve immediately for the best flavor and temperature.

Notes

You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
Using fresh cherry tomatoes adds a nice burst of sweetness and juices; alternatively, roma tomatoes can be used.
Feel free to substitute penne with any medium-sized pasta you prefer, such as rigatoni or shells.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
For a dairy-free option, substitute the Boursin cheese with a plant-based creamy cheese alternative.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American