Cajun Chicken with Sweet Peppers Recipe
This Cajun Chicken with Sweet Peppers recipe combines tender chicken breasts seasoned with a flavorful blend of Cajun spices, topped with creamy cream cheese and melted cheddar, and baked atop a bed of sweet peppers for a colorful, delicious, and protein-packed meal perfect for dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 long sweet peppers, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
Chicken
- 4 small chicken breasts (about 12 oz each)
Spices
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Dairy
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Others
- Oil spray for baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking dish lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Sweet Peppers and Chicken: Spread the thinly sliced sweet peppers evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Place the chicken breasts on top of the peppers for a flavorful base.
- Make Cajun Spice Blend: In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the Cajun seasoning.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the Cajun spice mixture over both sides of the chicken breasts. Add the minced garlic as well, pressing the spices and garlic into the chicken to maximize flavor absorption.
- Add Cream Cheese Topping: Evenly distribute about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese atop each chicken breast, ensuring all cream cheese is used for a creamy texture.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the entire baking dish, including the chicken and peppers, for a cheesy, golden finish.
- Bake and Broil: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). For a golden cheese crust, broil the dish for an additional 2 minutes at the end.
- Serve: Before serving, place some of the roasted sweet pepper slices from the dish on top of the chicken breasts. Enjoy this flavorful, hearty meal hot!
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount depending on your spice tolerance.
- Using fresh garlic and freshly ground black pepper enhances the flavor noticeably.
- Make sure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Serve with a side of rice or a green salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 12 oz)
- Calories: 521 kcal
- Sugar: 5.5 g
- Sodium: 509 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 2.1 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 211 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, baked chicken recipe, sweet peppers, spicy chicken, cream cheese chicken, easy dinner recipe, protein packed chicken
