Ingredients
Pasta
- 16 ounces (450 g) dried pasta (penne recommended)
Protein
- 2 large chicken breasts or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Vegetables
- 3 bell peppers in different colors, sliced
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable stock or chicken stock
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half and half
- ½ cup (80 g) parmesan cheese, grated
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (1 tbsp for frying chicken, 1 tbsp for sautéing vegetables)
- 3 tablespoons jerk seasoning (1.5 tbsp for chicken, 1.5 tbsp for sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, as it will cook further with the sauce in later steps.
- Prepare the chicken: If using raw chicken breasts, cut them into cubes and toss with 1.5 tablespoons jerk seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken cubes until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside. If using shredded rotisserie chicken, skip this step.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the same pot. Sauté the sliced bell peppers and green onions until slightly softened. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Build the sauce: Stir in the remaining 1.5 tablespoons jerk seasoning. Pour in the heavy cream and vegetable or chicken stock. Add the cooked chicken back into the pot and simmer the mixture for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cheese and pasta: Stir in grated parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring it is evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped chives, extra green onions, or parsley if desired. Serve hot for a flavorful and comforting Caribbean-inspired pasta meal.
Notes
- Penne pasta is recommended for this dish, but rigatoni, bucatini, fusilli, macaroni, or farfalle (bow tie) pasta can be used as alternatives.
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time, but cooking your own jerk-seasoned chicken adds a fresher flavor.
- If dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- Adjust the amount of jerk seasoning according to your spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Caribbean
