Description
This creamy and flavorful Baked Boursin Cajun Chicken Pasta combines tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts with Garlic Herb Boursin cheese and juicy roasted cherry tomatoes. Paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta and a hint of hot sauce, this baked pasta dish offers a comforting and slightly spicy meal ready in just 40 minutes – perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 tablespoons cajun seasoning (divided)
Main Dish
- 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
- 1 pound penne pasta (or medium pasta shells)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F to ensure it’s hot and ready for roasting the chicken, cheese, and tomatoes.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 pieces. Coat the chicken in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then rub in 3 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning evenly. Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet for roasting.
- Prepare the Cheese and Tomatoes: In a 9 x 13 inch oven-safe casserole dish, add the Boursin cheese and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle tomatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast Chicken, Cheese & Tomatoes: Place both the chicken on the baking sheet and the casserole dish with cheese and tomatoes in the oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the tomatoes are soft.
- Cook the Pasta: While the above is roasting, bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and set aside.
- Remove and Slice Chicken: Remove the baking dish and chicken from the oven. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, hot sauce, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to the baking dish with Boursin cheese and roasted tomatoes. Stir well to combine and melt the cheese into a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate the Chicken: Mix the diced Cajun chicken into the pasta mixture evenly. Serve immediately for a warm, delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with other medium-sized pasta shapes like shells or rigatoni.
- Adjust hot sauce according to your heat preference or omit for a milder dish.
- For extra veggies, try adding roasted bell peppers or spinach alongside the tomatoes.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
