Description

Enjoy a rich and creamy Cajun-flavored pasta featuring tender chicken breast, smoky turkey bacon, and melting plant-based cheese. This comforting dish combines bold Southern spices with a velvety plant-based cream sauce, balanced by fresh vegetables and herbs, perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

2 Chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
4 slices smoky turkey bacon, sliced

Pasta

12 oz fettuccine pasta (or gluten-free pasta alternative)

Seasonings & Sauces

2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (natural)
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Vegetables

1 cup diced bell peppers
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy & Cheese

1 cup plant-based cream
1/2 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based), shredded or grated

Other

1 tbsp tomato paste (natural)
Pinch natural gelling agent
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Cooking oil (as needed)

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Chop chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and slice the smoky turkey bacon. Dice the bell peppers and onion, and mince the garlic. Cook the fettuccine pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency.
Cook the Chicken and Turkey Bacon: Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the turkey bacon until crisp and browned, then remove and set aside. In the same skillet, season the chicken generously with Cajun seasoning and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside with the bacon.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until soft and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to develop deeper flavors.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and pour in the plant-based cream. Stir in the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, stirring occasionally. Add the plant-based cheese and a pinch of natural gelling agent, mixing until the sauce is smooth and silky.
Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken and turkey bacon to the skillet. Toss in the cooked pasta and stir well to coat all strands with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the top before serving.

Notes

Make your own Cajun seasoning using fresh spices for enhanced flavor.
Cook pasta to al dente to maintain texture in the creamy sauce.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness naturally.
Cook turkey bacon separately to achieve maximum crispiness and smoky flavor.
Simmer sauce gently to keep plant-based cheese smooth and prevent separation.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, smoky turkey bacon pasta, gluten free Cajun pasta, Cajun dinner recipe