Recipe: Spicy Chicken Pasta

One of my favorite foods to play around with in the kitchen is pasta - and this new creation is perfect for the cold winter months. A bit on the spicy side, and filled with delicious flavors, this is my new favorite with or without the cajun chicken!

First, grab the following ingredients...

2 tbsp olive oil, divided 4 cloves girl, minced 2 tsp basil 1 tbsp crushed red pepper (not pictured) 8 oz mascarpone 1/3 cup parmesan cheese 1 lb penne pasta 3 boneless chicken breasts salt and pepper, to cover cajun spice, to cover
Coat the chicken with salt and pepper, as well as cajun spice. I did this ahead of time with chicken that I then froze until I was ready to use it.

Saute the chicken in 1 tbsp olive oil until browned on each side. Cube and return to the pan to continue cooking.

While the chicken is cooking, get started on cooking the pasta.

After the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the heat and set aside.

Then, on medium-low heat, saute 1 tbsp olive oil and garlic until lightly browned.

Once lightly browned, add the crushed red pepper and basil. Saute for 3 minutes over the medium-low heat, until the flavors have had a chance to deepen.

Drain your penne pasta, and add it to the spice mixture.

Mix it together and add the mascarpone cheese and then return the cubed chicken to the pan and mix well.

Finally, add 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese and mix together.

Serve immediately and enjoy! If you'd like a little more spice, add 1 tsp to 1 tbsp more crushed pepper into the pasta. This is also a great meatless dish - just remove the chicken!

Do you have an easy pasta go-to? I bet I'm not the only one who loves a hearty - but not too heavy - pasta in the wintertime!