Name: Cajun Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Ingredients: 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bites; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1½ tbsp jarred minced garlic; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; ¼ tsp Adobo; ½ tsp Goya Perfect Seasoning; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp Cajun seasoning; ½ tsp Italian seasoning; ¼ tsp dried oregano; ¼ tsp dried thyme; ¼ tsp dried tarragon; ½ tsp black pepper; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes; ⅛ tsp chicken bouillon; 1 whole 8.8 oz box Barilla Red Lentil Spaghetti; 2 cups frozen broccoli; 5 oz frozen chopped spinach; 1 tsp olive oil; ¼ tsp onion powder; ¼ tsp Italian seasoning; ¼ tsp black pepper; ¾ cup dairy free cream cheese; 1 cup chicken broth; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1½ tbsp minced garlic; 1 tsp olive oil; ½ tsp Dijon mustard

What you need

CHICKEN MARINADE
1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bites
1 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp jarred minced garlic
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp Adobo
½ tsp Goya Perfect Seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp dried tarragon
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
⅛ tsp chicken bouillon
PASTA AND VEGETABLES
1 whole 8.8 oz box Barilla Red Lentil Spaghetti
2 cups frozen broccoli
5 oz frozen chopped spinach
1 tsp olive oil
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper
CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN SAUCE
¾ cup dairy free cream cheese
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1½ tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp olive oil
½ tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp butter, optional
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp cold water
FINAL SEASONING, AS NEEDED
¼ tsp Goya Perfect Seasoning
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp Parmesan, optional
⅛ tsp salt, only if needed

Cooking timeline

0:00
Marinate the Chicken
Combine the chicken thighs with olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Adobo, Goya Perfect Seasoning, onion powder, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, tarragon, black pepper, cayenne, red pepper flakes, and chicken bouillon. Toss until thoroughly coated, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2:00
Cook the Chicken
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, continuing as needed until golden and the thickest pieces reach 165°F. Work in batches if needed so the skillet is not crowded. Remove and set aside.
2:12
Prepare the Vegetables
Steam the broccoli for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, until just tender. Cook the spinach according to package directions. Drain both thoroughly and squeeze excess moisture from the spinach.
2:17
Season the Vegetables
Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a skillet. Add the broccoli, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook for another minute. Set aside.
2:21
Cook the Pasta
Boil the red lentil spaghetti in salted water according to package directions, checking it 1 minute early. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2:29
Start the Sauce
In the chicken skillet, heat 1 tsp olive oil over medium low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
2:30
Build the Sauce
Add the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the dairy free cream cheese until smooth.
2:33
Season the Sauce
Stir in the Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Gradually add the Parmesan and stir until incorporated. Add the optional butter if using. Do not let the sauce boil.
2:36
Reduce the Sauce
Keep the sauce over low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Keep it a little loose because the pasta will absorb more moisture.
2:39
Combine Everything
Add the broccoli and spinach to the sauce. Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Add the cooked spaghetti and gently toss until evenly coated.
2:42
Adjust the Sauce
Warm everything over low heat for about 1 minute. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time only if the sauce becomes too thick.
2:44
Final Seasoning
Taste the pasta. Add Goya Perfect Seasoning, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, Parmesan, or salt only as needed.
2:46
Serve
Serve warm while the sauce is creamy and the pasta is well coated.

Trust Me on This: Keep the sauce slightly loose before adding the spaghetti because red lentil pasta absorbs moisture quickly.

Hi, I’m Mia Oku!

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