Creamy Cajun Chicken
This hearty dish combines tender chicken and nutritious barley, making it a satisfying meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Servings: 4
Calories: 870kcal
Ingredients
For the Creamy Cajun Chicken
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 3 tablespoons blackened seasoning (omit brown sugar if making homemade)
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast diced or shredded
- 1 jalapeno sliced, optional for garnish
For the Barley
- 2 cups pearl barley
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse barley, add to boiling water and lower to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, dice the onion and slice the bell peppers into thin strips. Chop the chicken into bite- sized pieces.
- Cook onions and peppers in olive oil in a deep skillet or large pan over medium-high heat. Stir often, cooking until vegetables are softened.
- Add chicken broth. Mix heavy whipping cream and corn starch and add to vegetable mixture with blackened seasoning. Whisk together, lower to medium-low, cooking until sauce is thickened.
- Add chicken, stirring to combine.
- Serve over cooked barley and garnish with jalapeno slices if desired.
Notes
- Lighten Up the Sauce: Substitute the cream for half and half, milk or 2 % milk.
- Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 -3 days. Store barley in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Cook chicken mixture in a pan over medium heat, stir in a tablespoon of milk if the sauce is too thick. To reheat barley, pour boiling water over the barley and stir for about 1 minute. Drain and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 870kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 172mg | Sodium: 1375mg | Potassium: 814mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1679IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 4mg
