Spicy!! Cajun Chicken Pasta w/ Homemade Fettuccine

Bill and I enjoy spicy food, so I tweaked my Creamy Chicken Alfredo recipe a bit. Note that this version is a little more natural as well.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh fettuccine (see recipe below)
• 2 cups light cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed fresh red pepper flakes
• 1 cup chopped green onion
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 lb grilled Cajun chicken (see recipe below)
• 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
2. Meanwhile, pour cream into large skillet. Cook over med. heat, stirring constantly, until just boiling.
3. Reduce heat, add herbs,seasoning,and veg's.
4. Simmer 8 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Stir in grilled chicken.
6. Stir in cheeses, blending well.
   
   
7. Drain pasta, top with sauce and chicken.

NOTE: You can make this less spicy by omitting red pepper flakes.


Grilled Cajun Chicken

Ingredients

• 1/4 teaspoons white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoons onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1/4teaspoons paprika
• 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in strips
  

Directions

1. Mix spices together until well blended
   
2. Toss chicken strips in seasoning until well coated
3. Grill chicken until cooked through
   
   

Homemade Fettuccine Noodles
(this is the Light Wheat Pasta recipe that comes in the Kitchen Aid Pasta Roller manual. Other recipes in the manual include Basic Egg Pasta, Semolina Egg Pasta, and Whole Wheat Pasta)

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups sifted whole wheat flour
• 1 cup sifted bread or unbleached flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  

Directions

1. Place whole wheat flour, bread flour, eggs, water, and salt in mixer bowl.
2. Attach bowl and flat beater. Turn to Speed 2 and mix 30 seconds.
3. Exchange flat beater for dough hook. Turn to Speed 2 and knead 2 minutes.
4. Remove dough from bowl and hand knead for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Divide dough into eight pieces before processing with Pasta Sheet Roller attachment.
6. Follow manufacturer's instructions for using pasta roller and cutter attachments **I ran each sheet of pasta dough through the roller about 5 times - starting on setting 1 and finishing at setting 5 before using the fettuccine cutter**
   
7. Add 2 teaspoons salt and 1 tablespoon oil (optional) to 6 quarts boiling water.
8. Gradually add pasta and continue to cook at a boil until pasta is “al dente” or slightly firm to the bite (I cooked the fettuccine noodles for 5 minutes).
9. Pasta floats to the top of the water while cooking, so stir occasionally to keep it cooking evenly.
10. Drain in a colander.