The Chintzy Lady: Cajun Chicken Alfredo with Zucchini Noodles

So it has a been a while since I put on my wordsmith apron and let you peak into what we are eating for dinner. The lack of posts are a culmination of reasons, the most predominant reason being, life. I still cook most nights of the week. I still look for a bargain anywhere I can find a deal. And most importantly, I love to try something new. At work almost everyday I ask everyone what they are making or what they have made for dinner. I do this not only for general conversation, but also to get tips and ideas from everyone else. There is no way that I would be able to plan an elaborate meal every night. I work full time, most weeks over time. I have an elementary aged child with homework every night. Spring sports are about to gear up, of which my husband is a coach. And I am a wife that likes to enjoy the company and down time of her spouse. What keeps me sane in our busy life is cooking easy, delicious, low budget meals!
With that being said most recipes that I try usually have limited ingredients, limited prep time, and limited cook time. At my house we love spicy foods. Our dog is even named Spicy (that was actually her name when we adopted her.) I find a lot of recipes on Pintrest and ultimately modify them depending on what ingredients I have on hand or to add the heat (remember, we like spicy foods).

In general I make two meals on Sunday nights, one for dinner and one for the next night. My husband always takes left overs for lunch so I try to cook a meal in advance. That way diner is ready when I get home (anywhere between 5:30-6pm). Also, my husband will start to warm dinner up when I am on my way home. This is easier in my household. We typically eat dinner by 6-630pm, complete homework, baths, and then I cook the next nights dinner around 7 or 8pm. Then its time to catch up on the DVR.

Now here is the reason that you have read this blog.... or if you are like me, you have bypassed the entire post and have gone straight to the recipe. Its ok, I understand.

Cajun Chicken Alfredo with Zucchini Pasta
(I have made this with Fettuccine noodles and it is as delicious, but I have a Vegetti that was getting dust on it, hence the Zucchini Pasta). We are currently trying to incorporate more vegetables and less carbohydrates into our dinner meals.

Ingredients (I shopped at Aldi and Sams for the meat, total cost for entire meal was about $8)
1 lbs chicken breast
3 medium Zuchinni/ or Fettuccine noodles if you prefer, but not both
1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
1 jar Alfredo sauce
Cajun seasoning * or you can use: salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin*

Cut washed Zucchini in vegetable slicer. I have a Vegetti from the As Seen on TV section and it works great. Place sliced zucchini on paper towel and press to remove excess water.
Pound out your chicken into thin breasts (i used a rolling pin--- this helps the chicken cook faster and more evenly) and season chicken with Cajun seasoning. This amount depends on how spicy you want your chicken.
Cook chicken in oiled skillet over medium heat. Cook until well browned and then flip and repeat. (the darker, the more flavorful)
Remove chicken breasts from heat and add zucchini noodles and cut tomatoes. Saute in skillet while slicing cooked chicken.
Add jar of Alfredo sauce and sliced chicken.
Simmer on low for 5 minutes
Enjoy your delicious dinner.

The time to make this meal was less than 30 minutes. And did I mention that I cooked it all in one pot also! Now since this is tomorrows dinner, I set some aside for my husbands lunch and the rest will be ready when I get home tomorrow night.