Description
Craving a bold and comforting pasta dish that checks all the boxes? Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Whipped Roasted Garlic Feta & Crispy Chickpeas brings together smoky Cajun-spiced chicken, rich and tangy whipped feta infused with roasted garlic, and perfectly crisp chickpeas—all over a bed of al dente pasta. This easy dinner idea is great for meal prep, yet elevated enough to impress guests. Whether you’re searching for quick weeknight dinner ideas, food ideas that balance indulgence and nutrition, or an easy recipe with bold flavors, this one delivers a knockout punch.
Ingredients
200 g spaghetti or linguine
2 chicken breasts diced
1 tablespoon olive oil (for chicken)
1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 bulb garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil (for garlic)
150 g feta cheese
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil (for chickpeas)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt to taste
Fresh parsley chopped
Optional: pinch of smoked paprika
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off a garlic bulb, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30–35 minutes.
2. Pat chickpeas dry with paper towels. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Spread on a baking tray and roast for 25–30 minutes, shaking halfway.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Season diced chicken with Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
5. In a blender, combine roasted garlic cloves, feta, yogurt, lemon juice, and water. Blend until creamy. Adjust texture with extra water if needed.
6. Assemble by placing pasta in bowls. Top with chicken, whipped feta, and crispy chickpeas. Garnish with parsley and optional paprika.
7. Serve immediately while everything is warm, or store each component separately for meal prep.
Notes
For smoother whipped feta, blend while the garlic is still warm and use a splash of water.
Always pat chickpeas dry before roasting to ensure they crisp up properly.
Rest the chicken a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting + Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, cajun chicken, whipped feta, crispy chickpeas, food ideas, healthy comfort food