Cajun-Inspired Pasta

Cajun is a culture and cuisine that derives from Louisiana. In Cajun cooking, lots of spices and seasonings are layered into the dishes and there are staple flavors that are used such as garlic, onion, celery, and bell peppers. With this pasta, we are stealing a couple of those flavors and mixing it with land and sea: chicken and shrimp to bring together a Cajun-inspired dish with a twist of Puerto Rican flavors such as sofrito and tomato that pair so very well and parallel Cajun flavors. Who knew we had so much in common!

This pasta dish is creamy, robust, and fresh. It features crushed tomatoes, fresh peppers and parsley, and a cream sauce that melts every bite in your mouth. If you fear you have not picked a quick and easy week-night dinner to impress the fam, look no further than this pasta dish that can be easily served with a quick tossed salad and some buttered rolls. You will be everyone's hero!

Cajun Inspiration

Chicken & Shrimp: Cajun Inspired Pasta

4-6 servings

30-40 min

INGREDIENTS

Step 1: Season and Cook Chicken Breast

1. Filet as many chicken breasts as you need

2. Season those filets. Here is a spice blend that pairs perfectly with this salad recipe:

   • 1/2 tsp. cumin

   • 1/2 tsp. ginger

   • 1/2 tsp. turmeric

   • 1 tsp. chili powder

   • 1 tsp. onion powder

   • 2 tsp. garlic powder

   • 1/2 tsp. black pepper

   • 2 tsp. salt

     *note that these are all in powder form. This makes more than you need so just save the rest !

3. Sear the seasoned chicken. I use a skillet, coconut or olive oil, and sear on medium-high for 4 minutes on both sides, then turn off the heat and allow the residual heat to finish the cook while I make the salad dressing.

For the Chicken:

· fileted chicken breasts

· olive oil

· spice blend (your own or the listed blend provided in the recipe steps)

For the Pasta:

· 3 cups pasta (of your choice)

· 4 cups chicken broth (for boiling)

For the sauce:

· 3 tbsps. sofrito

· 1 tbsp. mince garlic

· 1/2 cup diced onion

· 1/2 cup diced red & green bell peppers

· 2 tbsp. butter

· 1 tbsp. achiote oil (optional)

· 3 tbsp. coconut oil or olive oil

· 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Step 2: Boil Pasta & Make Your Sauce

1. Bring your chicken broth to a boil and add your pasta: cook as directed on the package.

2. After your pasta is cooked, drain and set it aside. If you feel you will take longer than usual to make the sauce make the sauce first and cook the pasta while the sauce sits. If the pasta sits too long, it will 100% stick together.

3. For the sauce:

   1. start with 3 tbsp. oil in a medium hot sauce pan.

   2. add sofrito and mix

   3. add garlic and mix

   4. add your diced onions and bell peppers and mix

   5. add achiote oil or one more tbsp. of oil of choice

   6. add crushed tomato and mix

   7. add butter and melt by mixing evenly

   8. add cream (should be room temp) and mix

   9. add your seasoning of choice. I suggest an old bay or cajun-similar style seasoning.

   10. add your shredded and grated cheese and mix until smooth

   11. add your chicken broth and mix until even

   12. remove from the heat immediately

4. Combine: add your pasta to the sauce and mix to coat evenly. be gentle as to not break the pasta noodles.

Unite Land and Sea

Lets complete this dish with perfectly seared shrimp. If you want to save yourself some time, buy pre-cooked shrimp and toss them right in! For this recipe, we will add that boost of flavor by seasoning and cooking our shrimp on the spot.

1. remove the shells from your shrimp

2. place the de-shelled shrimp on a paper towel

3. use another paper towel to completely dry the shrimp on both sides. For the best sear, we want them incredibly dry.

4. Season your shrimp with your choice of seasoning

5. heat 3 tbsp. oil in a frying pan on medium heat.

6. place the shrimp flat in the pan and cook for 2 minutes on one side for a sear

7. Once the 2 minutes is over, mix and toss the shrimp in the pan for 1 more minute to finish cooking

8. remove the shrimp to the pasta pan and repeat if necessary.

Plate and Proud

To plate beautifully: Serve some pasta on the plate with the shrimp mixed in. Slice a full chicken breast and place that on top of the pasta, drizzle lemon or lime juice over the chicken, and place a basil or cilantro leaf on top of the chicken. This is sure to impress those who are enjoying!

Be proud to put a dish on the table that is not only made with love--by you, but a meal that features so many healthy and nourishing elements. The high protein content from the shrimp and chicken, the fat from the cheese and cream, the pepper and onions, and the carbs from the pasta. Enjoy with confidence that this is a creamy, delicious, flavorful AND nourishing dish.

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