Cajun Chicken with Sweet Peppers Recipe
This Cajun Chicken with Sweet Peppers recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, cayenne, and garlic, baked atop sweet pepper slices and topped with creamy cheese for a spicy, comforting meal that’s easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 long sweet peppers, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
Chicken & Dairy
- 4 small chicken breasts
- 1 cup cream cheese
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Base: Spread the thinly sliced sweet peppers evenly across the bottom of the baking dish, creating a flavorful bed for the chicken.
- Season Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the Cajun spice blend.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on top of the peppers, then sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken. Rub the minced garlic into the chicken alongside the spices to maximize flavor penetration.
- Add Cream Cheese: Top each chicken breast with approximately 2 tablespoons of cream cheese, ensuring all cream cheese is distributed evenly.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the entire baking dish, covering the chicken and peppers.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Then, broil the dish for 2 minutes to golden and crisp the cheese topping.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, top the chicken breasts with some of the roasted pepper slices from the dish for added color and flavor. Enjoy your Cajun Chicken with Sweet Peppers!
Notes
- If you prefer milder spice, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- You can substitute cream cheese with a lighter cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a lower fat option.
- Make sure chicken breasts are of even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Serve with a side of steamed rice or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s safely cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with peppers and cheese
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, baked chicken, sweet peppers, creamy chicken, spicy chicken, dinner recipe, gluten free
