Skinny Cajun Chicken Penne Recipe

Spice up your weeknight with this healthy and flavorful Skinny Cajun Chicken Penne! Tender chicken with a zesty Cajun kick is tossed in a creamy sundried tomato sauce and served over hearty whole wheat penne. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal that won't derail your healthy eating goals.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Calories 401.6 kcal
Protein 69g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Skinny Cajun Chicken Penne 56

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Skinny Cajun Chicken Penne

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Skinny Cajun Chicken Penne? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Skinny Cajun Chicken Penne

  1. Dice 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss diced chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Stir to coat completely and set aside.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb whole wheat penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside, keeping warm.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour until a smooth roux forms (about 1 minute). Do not let it brown.
  7. Gradually whisk in 3/4 cup skim milk until smooth and thickened. If lumps form, whisk vigorously or mash them out with a spatula.
  8. Stir in 1/4 cup sundried tomato paste, 2 diced green onions (about 1/4 cup), 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1 minced clove garlic, 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon dried basil.
  9. Increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly (about 2-3 minutes).
  10. Add the cooked penne, chicken, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss gently to coat.
  11. Serve immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley (optional). Enjoy with a side green salad!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

15 g

Sugar

9g

Fat

23g

Carbs

14g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)