Description
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Whipped Roasted Garlic Feta and Crispy Chickpeas is a flavorful and satisfying dish combining tender, spiced chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, a rich and fluffy roasted garlic feta sauce, and crunchy, seasoned chickpeas. It offers a delightful blend of textures and bold Cajun flavors, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguine
Roasted Garlic Feta Sauce
- 1 cup feta cheese
- 1 bulb roasted garlic
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Splash of water or cream
Crispy Chickpeas
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for roasting chickpeas)
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (for chickpeas)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: paprika for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and coat them evenly with Cajun seasoning. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken pieces until cooked through and slightly charred on the outside. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Roast Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top of the garlic bulb to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, then wrap the garlic bulb tightly in foil. Roast in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the cloves are soft and fragrant. Allow it to cool before handling.
- Make Whipped Roasted Garlic Feta: In a food processor, combine the roasted garlic cloves (squeezed out of the bulb), feta cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and a splash of water or cream. Blend the mixture until it achieves a smooth, fluffy consistency, perfect for coating the pasta and chicken.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and toss with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Roast Chickpeas: Pat the drained chickpeas dry with a paper towel. Toss them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and about 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to taste. Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy and golden, shaking the pan halfway through for even roasting.
- Assemble the Dish: Plate the cooked pasta and top it with the Cajun-spiced chicken pieces. Dollop or spread the whipped roasted garlic feta sauce generously over the chicken and pasta. Scatter the crispy chickpeas on top and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an optional sprinkle of paprika for extra color and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute cream with milk or plant-based milk if preferred for the whipped feta sauce.
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Cajun seasoning mixture.
- Roasting the garlic ahead of time and keeping it refrigerated can save prep time.
- Feel free to swap spaghetti with your preferred pasta shape like penne or fettuccine.
- Make sure chickpeas are thoroughly dried before roasting to ensure maximum crispiness.
