Description
Spicy Chicken Lazone Pasta is a flavorful and creamy Cajun-inspired dish featuring tender chicken strips seasoned with a blend of spices and tossed with pasta in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Fats and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Spice Mix and Season Chicken: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Toss the sliced chicken strips evenly with this spice blend to coat thoroughly.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until they are browned on the outside and cooked through internally. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine with the garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to start thickening the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Thicken: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue cooking the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Combine and Toss: Return the cooked chicken strips and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level according to your preference.
- For a lighter version of the sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though note that the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
