Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta
from thepioneerwoman.com

• 3 Whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Cubes
• 3 Teaspoons Cajun Spice Mix, More To Taste
• 1 Pound Fettuccine
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
• 1 Orange Bell Pepper, Seeded And Sliced
• ½ Large Red Onion, Sliced
• 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 Can Diced Tomatoes
• 2 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• ½ Cups White Wine
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• Cayenne Pepper To Taste
• Salt and Pepper To Taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when pasta is still al dente. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice over chicken pieces. Toss around to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do not stir. Allow chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean plate. Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove chicken, leaving pan on high heat. Add remaining olive oil and butter. When heated, add peppers, onions, and garlic. Sprinkle on remaining Cajun spice, and add salt if needed. Cook over very high heat for 1 minute, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black as possible. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove all vegetables from the pan. With the pan over high heat, pour in the wine and chicken broth. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and/or salt to taste. Finally, add chicken and vegetables to sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until mixture is bubbly and hot. Add drained fettuccine and toss to combine.

 I went to visit my sister last weekend, and this is what we cooked together! I even bought an iron skillet that day and got to break it in. This dish is suppose to only take 30 minutes to prepare, however I had no experience with a gas stove and thought "lite" setting meant "light" (or low)... and as a result the sauce never reduced and the chicken and veggies didn't brown properly because the stove wasn't quite hot enough. Even so, it turned out great and was even better the next day for leftovers. This recipe makes quite a lot, my sister will be eating pasta all week!