Rattlesnake Pasta: Creamy Spicy Chicken Penne with Jalapeños (Print version)

Creamy spicy chicken penne with jalapeños, bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, and a silky Parmesan sauce.

# Ingredients:

For the pasta and chicken

01 - 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
02 - 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
03 - 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
09 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
10 - 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced, seeds removed if desired
11 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - 1 3/4 cups (415 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
14 - 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
15 - 1 cup (90 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
02 - Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, turning as needed, until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and jalapeños. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened, then stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
05 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring, then add the heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until lightly thickened.
06 - Reduce the heat to low. Stir in Parmesan a handful at a time until melted and smooth.
07 - Return the chicken and penne to the skillet. Toss until coated, loosening with reserved pasta water if needed. Finish with parsley and serve hot.

# Good to know:

01 - Remove jalapeño seeds and ribs for a milder pasta.
02 - Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
03 - Best served immediately after tossing.

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