Cheesecake Factory-Style Louisiana Chicken Pasta
This version captures that signature spicy kick while replacing inflammatory seed oils and industrial additives with nutrient-dense, whole-food ingredients.
- Cuisine Italian
- Course Main
- Prep 15 min
- Cook 20 min
- Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb organic chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 large banana peppers, sliced
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 8 oz organic whole wheat penne pasta
- 1 cup organic full-fat grass-fed dairy cream
- 1/4 cup grated organic aged Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp raw honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Clean swaps
How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.
- Canola or Soybean oil (restaurant standard) → Avocado oil — Eliminates inflammatory industrial seed oils.
- Refined white pasta → Organic whole wheat penne — Provides higher fiber content and a lower glycemic index.
- Artificial Louisiana seasoning packets → Cayenne, red pepper flakes, and garlic — Avoids hidden preservatives, anti-caking agents, and artificial flavors.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook the whole wheat penne until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced chicken to the skillet and sauté until browned and cooked through (approximately 5-7 minutes); remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the onion, garlic, banana peppers, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and oregano. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Pour in the grass-fed cream and stir in the raw honey; bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly and the cheese is fully melted.
- Fold in the cooked pasta, tossing thoroughly to coat each piece of pasta in the spicy cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
FAQ
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, substitute the grass-fed cream with full-fat coconut milk to maintain a creamy texture while remaining dairy-free.
How do I adjust the spice level?
Depending on your heat preference, you can add or remove half a teaspoon of the crushed red pepper flakes.
Cooked it?
Mark it made — add a photo if you like.