High-Protein Creamy Peri Peri Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 225 g Penne pasta (Uncooked and dry)
• 140 g Light cream cheese (Soft; Philadelphia light cream cheese was specified)
• 600 g Chicken breast (Diced)
• 1 Onion (Large; diced or chopped)
• 2 Bell peppers (Mixed colors; chopped)
• 4 Garlic (Cloves, minced)
• 1 Red chilli (Chopped)
• 2 tbsp Peri peri seasoning (Use 1 tablespoon with the chicken and 1 tablespoon with the vegetables; Schwartz was specified)
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Olive oil (For cooking)
• 1.5 tbsp Water (Source gives 1–2 tablespoons for loosening the cream cheese sauce; add more if too thick)
• Salt (Season well; also use in the pasta cooking water)
• 1.5 tbsp Peri peri marinade (For garnish or drizzling)
• Parsley (For garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Dice the chicken and chop the onion, mixed bell peppers, red chilli, and garlic. Set the cream cheese aside so it is soft enough to stir into the pan.

2. 2

   Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

3. 3

   Add the diced chicken and 1 tablespoon of the peri peri seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring as needed, until the chicken is cooked through.

4. 4

   Add the bell peppers, red chilli, onion, and minced garlic to the pan.

5. 5

   Add the remaining 1 tablespoon peri peri seasoning and 1 teaspoon cumin. Season well with salt, then cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.

6. 6

   Make a well in the middle of the pan and lower the heat.

7. 7

   Add the soft cream cheese and 1–2 tablespoons water to the well. Stir until the cream cheese forms a glossy sauce; add more water if the sauce is too thick.

8. 8

   Meanwhile, cook the penne in salted water until al dente, following the pasta package directions for timing. Drain when cooked.

9. 9

   Add the cooked pasta to the pan and mix it thoroughly with the creamy sauce, chicken, and vegetables.

10. 10

    Garnish with parsley and drizzle over the peri peri marinade before serving.

Notes

The post states approximately 489 calories and 44.5 g protein per serving. It also describes the dish as suitable for meal preparation and making on a Sunday for lunches during the following week. Pasta cooking time and the amount of parsley are not specified.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• high-protein
• meal prep
• pasta
• chicken
• one-pan
• quick meal
• spicy