Cajun Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

Creamy pasta dishes are one of my favorite comfort foods.  Something about the slightly spicy Cajun flavor mixed with the cheeses puts this recipe at the top of my list.

Ingredients:

• 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (about a pound)
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Cajun Seasoning
• 2 Tablespoons of Butter
• About a Tablespoon of Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon of Minced Garlic (I used the kind from the jar)
• 1/2 pint of Grape Tomatoes (quartered)
• 1/4 Cup Dry White Wine
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1 Cup of Shredded Asiago
• 1 Cup of Shredded Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon of Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of Pepper
• A couple dashes of Nutmeg
• 16 oz of Fettuccini (cooked)

Serves 5-6

Pound chicken breasts with rolling pin or meat mallet until it is about 1/2 inch thick.  I place the chicken between two pieces of wax paper or plastic wrap to keep the mess to a minimum.  Next generously sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning.  

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with about a table spoon of olive oil.  When the butter is melted and oil is hot, add the chicken breasts.  Sear the chicken breasts on both sides about 3 minutes on each side.  Remove the chicken from the skillet and place in baking dish.  Next put the chicken in the oven for about 10 minutes to finish cooking it.  When the chicken is cooked throughout, cut it into strips to add to the pasta sauce.

The sauce will be made in the same skillet as the chicken was cooked.  Start by pouring in the white wine to deglaze the pan.  Using a whisk get all of the brown bits to mix in.  Heat for about a minute.  Then add the tomatoes and garlic cook for additional 2 minutes to soften them.  Lower the heat to med-low and stir in heavy cream and additional tablespoon of butter.  Stir constantly as you add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.  Continue stirring as the sauce begins to thicken. This will take about 5 minutes. At this point the sauce will not be real thick.  It thickens more with the cheese.   Add the grated cheese and stir as it melts.  When sauce is smooth add in pasta  and chicken and toss.  The Cajun seasoning from the chicken will mix in with the sauce to give it a little snap!

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Creamy Tomato Soup

Nothing tastes better when it is cold outside than soup.  I remember asking my grandmother for her tomato soup recipe and I was really surprised when she told me what it was.  She just used canned condensed tomato soup and used milk instead of water.  It was so creamy and delicious. This is an easy delicious soup that reminds me of her.  I served this with provolone and salami grilled cheese sandwiches.  I love to dip it in the soup!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 Cup finely diced onion
• olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 can (29 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled plum tomatoes 
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• 4 Tablespoons Sour Cream (or more depending on how creamy you would like it)
• 2 teaspoons of sugar

Drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of a large soup pot.  Heat olive oil and butter until butter is melted.  Add onions and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes.  Dump in tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.  Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth.  Add salt, pepper, and sugar.  Stir in sour cream.  Simmer for a few more minutes and serve.

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Mushroom Risotto

Every time I say I made risotto for dinner people look at me like I am crazy.  I used to feel the same way.  All the stirring and pouring and keeping it the right temperature overwhelmed me.  This time I decided I wasn't going to stir constantly (I stirred OFTEN, just NOT constantly). When all was said and done, it was delicious and no one but me (and now all of you) knew that I cheated and didn't stir the entire time!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup of Mushrooms- chopped ( I used a combo of Shitake and Portabello)
• 1/4 Cup White Wine
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 Shallot- minced
• 2 1/2- 3 Cups of Chicken Broth (warm)
• About a tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1/4 Cup of Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 3/4 Cup Arborio Rice
• 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley

Serves 4

In a medium sauce pan heat olive oil.  Add shallot and cook for about 2 minutes.  When shallot starts to soften add in the mushrooms and cook for an additional 2 minutes.  Add in rice and toast for 2 more minutes.  Pour in the wine and cook until it has all been absorbed (about two minutes...lol I just wanted to say 2 minutes again!)  Next, add 1/2 cup of warm chicken broth and stir OFTEN until it is almost all absorbed.  Repeat this until broth is gone/rice is cooked all the way.  Risotto is meant to be creamy and slightly chewy.  Remove from heat and add parmesan cheese and parsley.  Stir to combine.  If risotto is too thick add a small amount of chicken broth to loosen it.  Salt and Pepper to taste.

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

I have to admit, I am kinda in love with this dish!  It was the perfect amount of spice for everyone.   This tastes like something that I would order at a restaurant, but it was oh so easy to make at home!  I can't wait to put it on the menu again!  The sweet peppers are a perfect addition to the pasta.  I just might add a few more next time.  You should definitely make this NOW!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of uncooked Shrimp (remove shells, veins, and tails)
• 1 Tablespoon of Cajun Seasoning
• 1 Cup of Heavy Cream
• 1 teaspoon of Minced Garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon of Black Pepper
• 2-3 Fresh Basil Leaves
• 1/2 Cup of Red Pepper- diced
• 1/2 Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese (plus a little for grating on top)
• 2 Tablespoons of Butter
• 16 oz Box of Linguini

Serves 5

I used frozen shrimp, so just before I was ready to cook them I put them in a colander and rinsed them with very cold water to thaw them.  Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.  Toss the shrimp with 1 Tablespoon of Cajun Seasoning and set aside.  Start pot of water for Linguini and cook according to package.  Melt butter in large skillet on a med-high heat and add the seasoned shrimp.

Saute the shrimp until they begin to turn pink then add the diced red pepper, minced garlic, and black pepper.  Cook another minute or two until shrimp it cooked all the way.

Turn the heat to med and add the cream, basil, and Parmesan cheese.  Simmer for about 10 minutes stirring occasionally.  When pasta is cooked drain and add to shrimp and sauce and stir.  Serve with a little more Parmesan cheese on top.  Enjoy!

If you like this check out Lemon Grass Skewered Shrimp and Tequila Lime Shrimp.

This recipe was featured on the Magical Moms' July Menu.  Be sure to check out all of our monthly menus

Lots of AMAZING recipes on the Magical Moms' June Menu, Marvelous May Menu, Appetizing April Menu, and March Madness Menu.

Creamy Mushroom Angel Pasta

Pasta, chicken, wine, and mushrooms- How can you go wrong?  This is a very simple dinner that tastes like you put way more effort into it than you did.  My father-in-law often suggests that we have angel hair pasta for dinner, but the rest of us favor spaghetti or rigatoni.  This is one dish that we can all agree upon.  Something about the wine and the mushrooms in the sauce make for a delicious combination.  Great now my tummy is grumbling... good thing I have a little left over!

Ingredients:

• 3 Boneless Chicken Breasts (cut in half)
• 1 Package of Dry Italian Dressing Mix
• 1/2 Cup of White Wine ( I used a Reisling because that is what I had open already)
• 1 Can of Golden Mushroom Soup
• 1 lb box of Angel Hair Pasta (or other pasta)
• 1/4 cup of Butter
• 4 oz of Chive and Onion Cream Cheese
• Two handfulls of sliced Mushrooms (this is my favorite part so I could easily double this)

**I had the spinach in the picture because I was serving with a spinach salad, but you could throw some in and it would be good too!

Makes 6 servings

In a saucepan, over low heat melt butter.  When butter is melted stir in the contents of the dressing mix packet.  Then stir in wine and golden mushroom soup until smooth.

Add in cream cheese.  If you add the cream cheese in pieces they will melt faster.  Make sure they melt, but do NOT boil mixture.  Stir in mushrooms.  Preheat oven to 325.  Place chicken breasts in baking dish.  Pour the sauce over the chicken.  The sauce will be thick, but will thin as the chicken cooks.

Bake chicken for about 50-60 minutes.  About 20 minutes before chicken is done begin the water for the pasta.  Serve pasta with sauce and chicken.

This recipe was featured on our Appetizing April Menu. Check out the entire April menu for a variety of dinner ideas!

Creamy Corny Rice

This is a creamy rice dish that has just enough spice!  My family likes to scoop it up with tortilla chips, put in on their tacos or burritos, or just eat it with a fork!  

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup uncooked Long Grain Rice
• 14 ounces of Chicken Broth
• 1 1/2 Cups Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese (divided)
• 3/4 Cup Sour Cream
• 1 Cup Corn (frozen or canned)
• Salt and Pepper
• 1- 4 ounce can of diced green chili peppers
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (if you look closely at the picture my cilantro is in the shape of an ice cube.  I took advice from a friend and froze some left over herbs)

First combine rice and chicken broth is pot.  Bring to a rolling boil and then let it sit.  Be sure to let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb all of the liquid.  Next preheat the oven to 350.  Combine all ingredients in 1.5 quart baking then add in rice and top with remaining pepper jack cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.  I have found that the baking time is less when I use can corn instead of frozen corn.  This is a great side dish to serve with any Mexican inspired dish.  I served mine with the Crispy Crunchy Oven Baked Tacos.  

This recipe was featured in Two Magical Moms March Menu Madness.  Check out the entire menu and try out some of our other YUMMY recipes!