Description
Rattlesnake Pasta is a creamy, spicy Cajun-inspired dish featuring tender chicken strips, sautéed bell peppers and onions, all tossed with pasta in a rich pepper jack and Parmesan cheese sauce. Perfect for those craving a flavorful, comforting meal with a kick of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced red and green bell peppers, red onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables become softened but still slightly crisp.
- Make the creamy sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the vegetables and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded pepper jack cheese, allowing the cheeses to melt smoothly into the sauce. If you want extra heat, add the crushed red pepper flakes at this stage.
- Combine all ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is well coated and heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately to enjoy the creamy, spicy flavors at their best.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a splash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- You can substitute shrimp or sausage in place of the chicken for variation.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and pepper jack cheese for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the vegetables; they should remain slightly crisp to retain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
