When it comes to Caribbean cuisine, the flavors of the islands can transport you to a vibrant and tropical paradise. One dish that perfectly captures the essence of the islands is the Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta.
This tempting combination of succulent jerk-seasoned chicken, colorful bell peppers, and a creamy pasta base creates a delightful explosion of flavors that will leave your taste buds craving for more.
What is Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta?
Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta is a popular Caribbean-inspired dish that combines the bold flavors of jerk seasoning with the creamy goodness of pasta.
This dish beautifully marries the essence of Jamaican jerk style cooking with traditional Italian pasta, creating a unique and mouthwatering fusion.
What Makes This Recipe Different From Other Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta?
While there may be many variations of Jerk Chicken Pasta recipes out there, what sets the Bahama Breeze version apart is its authentic representation of Caribbean flavors.
The traditional Jamaican jerk seasoning, which is a combination of spices like allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers, gives the dish its signature bold and spicy kick. Additionally, the use of bell peppers, onions, and jalapeno adds a vibrant and tangy twist to the dish.
How Does It Taste Like?
Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta strikes a harmonious balance between spicy and creamy flavors. The jerk-seasoned chicken delivers a smoky and fiery heat, which is perfectly complemented by the creaminess of the pasta sauce.
The combination of the flavors results in a savory, satisfying, and utterly delicious dish that will leave your taste buds tingling with delight.
Descriptive Ingredients:
- Onion, diced: Diced onion adds a savory and aromatic flavor to the jerk chicken pasta. It provides depth and complexity to the dish, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Parmesan, freshly grated: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds richness and umami flavor to the pasta dish. It melts into the sauce, creating a creamy and flavorful base that complements the spicy jerk seasoning.
- Kosher salt: Kosher salt is used to season the pasta water and the chicken, ensuring that all components of the dish are well-seasoned. It enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and helps to balance the overall taste.
- Jerk seasoning, divided: Jerk seasoning is the key flavor component of the dish, providing heat, spice, and depth of flavor to the chicken and pasta. It typically contains a blend of spices such as allspice, thyme, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper, which give the dish its distinctive Caribbean flavor.
- Garlic, minced: Minced garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the pasta dish. It enhances the savory profile of the dish and provides depth of flavor.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Chicken breasts serve as the protein component of the dish, adding texture and substance to the pasta. They absorb the flavors of the jerk seasoning and garlic, creating a flavorful and tender chicken.
- Penne pasta: Penne pasta is used as the base of the dish, providing a hearty and satisfying texture. Its tubular shape holds the sauce well, ensuring that each bite is coated with flavor.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Chicken broth serves as the liquid base for the sauce, adding depth of flavor and richness to the dish. It helps to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful sauce that coats the pasta and chicken.
- Jalapeno, seeded and minced: Minced jalapeno adds a spicy kick to the pasta dish. It provides heat and depth of flavor, complementing the other ingredients and enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Green onions, sliced: Sliced green onions add a fresh and crisp texture to the pasta dish. They provide a subtle onion flavor and visual appeal, enhancing the presentation of the dish.
- Chopped parsley: Chopped parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the pasta dish. It provides a subtle herbaceous flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Heavy cream or half and half: Heavy cream or half and half adds richness and creaminess to the sauce, creating a luxurious texture that coats the pasta and chicken. It helps to balance the heat from the jerk seasoning and jalapeno, providing a smooth and velvety finish.
- Red bell pepper, sliced: Sliced red bell pepper adds sweetness and crunch to the pasta dish. It provides a vibrant color contrast and complements the other flavors in the dish.
- Orange bell pepper, sliced: Sliced orange bell pepper adds sweetness and a slightly tangy flavor to the pasta dish. It enhances the overall taste profile and provides visual interest to the dish.
- Extra-virgin olive oil, divided: Extra-virgin olive oil is used for sautéing the onions, garlic, and chicken, adding richness and depth of flavor to the dish. It also helps to prevent sticking and ensures even cooking of the ingredients.
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1:
Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning, making sure to coat them evenly.
Step 2:
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until they are cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
Step 3:
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the sliced bell peppers, diced onion, minced jalapeno, sliced green onions, and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables become slightly tender.
Step 4:
While the vegetables are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
Step 5:
Once the vegetables are tender, add the chicken broth to the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 6:
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream or half and half, remaining tablespoon of jerk seasoning, and kosher salt. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 7:
Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips and add them to the skillet along with the cooked penne pasta. Toss everything together until the chicken, pasta, and sauce are well coated.
Step 8:
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan and chopped parsley over the dish. Give it a final toss to combine all the ingredients.
Tips & Tricks On Making Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta:
To ensure your Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta is a mouthwatering success, consider the following tips:
– Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to make the dish more tender and easier to work with.
– Adjust the amount of jerk seasoning based on your spice preference. Feel free to add more or less to suit your taste buds.
– For an extra smoky flavor, you can grill the jerk-seasoned chicken breasts instead of pan-frying them.
– To make the dish healthier, swap the heavy cream or half and half with Greek yogurt or coconut milk.
– For added freshness and crunch, garnish the dish with some chopped cilantro or green onions before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 438kcal
Total Fat: 22.6g
Saturated Fat: 6.4g
Cholesterol: 114mg
Sodium: 526mg
Total Carbohydrate: 46.6g
Dietary Fiber: 3.2g
Sugars: 4.4g
Protein: 37.8g
How Do I Store This Dish?
To store Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta, allow it to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days. When reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent the dish from drying out.
What other substitutes can you use in Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta?
1. Jerk Seasoning Substitute: If you don’t have jerk seasoning on hand, you can create your own by combining a mix of spices like allspice, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
2. Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes to personalize the dish.
3. Protein Options: While chicken is the traditional choice, you can also experiment with shrimp, tofu, or even thinly sliced beef to create your own unique twist.
4. Pasta Alternatives: Swap out the penne pasta for spaghetti, fettuccine, or any other pasta shape of your preference.
5. Cauliflower Rice: If you’re looking for a low-carb option, substitute the pasta with cauliflower rice for a healthier alternative.
Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup onion diced
- ½ cup Parmesan freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons jerk seasoning divided
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound penne pasta
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 jalapeno seeded and minced
- ⅓ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ¾ cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 orange bell pepper sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
Instructions
Step 1:
- Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning, making sure to coat them evenly.
Step 2:
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until they are cooked through. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
Step 3:
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the sliced bell peppers, diced onion, minced jalapeno, sliced green onions, and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables become slightly tender.
Step 4:
- While the vegetables are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
Step 5:
- Once the vegetables are tender, add the chicken broth to the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Cook for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 6:
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream or half and half, remaining tablespoon of jerk seasoning, and kosher salt. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 7:
- Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips and add them to the skillet along with the cooked penne pasta. Toss everything together until the chicken, pasta, and sauce are well coated.
Step 8:
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan and chopped parsley over the dish. Give it a final toss to combine all the ingredients.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Can I make the jerk seasoning from scratch?
A1: Yes, you can make jerk seasoning from scratch by combining spices like allspice, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Adjust the quantities according to your desired level of heat and flavor.
Q2: Is this dish spicy?
A2: Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta does have a spicy kick due to the jerk seasoning. However, you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less jerk seasoning according to your preference.
Q3: Can I freeze leftover jerk chicken pasta?
A3: It is not recommended to freeze the dish as the texture of the pasta and cream-based sauce may change upon thawing and reheating.
Q4: Can I skip the chicken and make a vegetarian version?
A4: Absolutely! Just omit the chicken and replace it with extra veggies, tofu, or plant-based protein alternatives.
Q5: Can I double the recipe?
A5: Yes, you can easily double the ingredients to make a larger batch. However, be mindful of adjusting the cooking times accordingly to ensure everything is cooked through.
Conclusion:
Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta is a delightful fusion of Caribbean and Italian flavors that will wow your taste buds with every bite. The marriage of the bold and spicy jerk seasoning with creamy pasta creates a uniquely delicious dish that captures the essence of the tropics.
By following our step-by-step instructions and incorporating our tips and tricks, you can recreate this restaurant favorite recipe in the comfort of your own home.
So, gather your ingredients, unleash your culinary creativity, and get ready to savor the irresistible flavors of Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta!
