Bayou Pasta With Chicken ( Copycat Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta )

I got this recipe from a place that claimed it as a copycat of Chilis Cajun Chicken Pasta, so I had to try it, and was pleasantly surprised that it DID taste a lot like it!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 12  ounces penne
• 3  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1  tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 cups half-and-half
• 1⁄2 cup  grated parmesan cheese
•  salt and pepper
• 1  lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  cajun seasoning
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2  teaspoons  vegetable oil
• 2  firm-ripe roma tomatoes, cored and diced

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions.
2. Melt butter over medium heat. Add flour; stir for 1 minute. Add half-and-half; stir until thickened, 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add parmesan, salt and pepper. Cover.
3. Pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness. Rub Cajun seasoning and cayenne evenly over chicken. Warm oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning once, until no longer pink in center, 6-8 minutes. Slice chicken.
4. In a bowl, toss pasta with sauce. Top with chicken and tomatoes and serve.