Description
Bold, creamy, spicy, and crunchy—this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Whipped Roasted Garlic Feta & Crispy Chickpeas is the ultimate easy dinner idea that feels fancy without the fuss. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken sits over a bed of silky pasta coated in whipped roasted garlic feta, while crispy chickpeas add the perfect crunch. Ideal for a quick dinner, weeknight comfort meal, or even an impressive dinner party main, this dish checks every box. It’s high in protein, packed with flavor, and customizable for various diets. Save this for your list of healthy comfort food, easy recipes, or creative pasta food ideas—you’ll want to make it again and again.
Ingredients
400g spaghetti or pasta of choice
2 large chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil (for chicken)
1 head garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil (for garlic)
1 can chickpeas (400g), drained and dried
1 tablespoon olive oil (for chickpeas)
1 teaspoon paprika (optional for chickpeas)
200g feta cheese
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or cream cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for whipping feta)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top of the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35–40 minutes until golden and soft.
2. Pat chickpeas dry, toss with olive oil, salt, and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes, shaking halfway.
3. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
4. Cube chicken and toss with Cajun seasoning and olive oil. Sear in a hot skillet over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked and golden.
5. In a food processor, blend roasted garlic cloves, feta, Greek yogurt, and olive oil until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen if needed.
6. Toss cooked pasta with a spoonful of whipped feta to coat.
7. Plate pasta, top with Cajun chicken, a generous scoop of whipped feta, and crispy chickpeas.
8. Garnish with parsley, black pepper, or extra paprika. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make sure chickpeas are completely dry before roasting—this guarantees crispiness.
Adjust Cajun spice to taste if your blend is very spicy or salty.
Feta whip can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (of 4)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: creamy cajun chicken pasta, roasted garlic feta pasta, crispy chickpeas, dinner ideas, easy pasta, quick dinner