Bahama Breeze Jerk Chicken Pasta Recipe

Bahama Breeze is a shortcut for the tropical, nutritious Caribbean cuisine packed with flavors and aromas.

Whether you’re craving Caribbean specialties you tried on your romantic vacay, or you’re simply a fan of island cuisine, you’ll absolutely love their signature Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta.

However, we strongly believe that there’s hardly anything more satisfying than recreating your favorite restaurant recipes in your own kitchen, where you have the freedom to add your individual touch to every dish.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to share our take on the famous Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta.

How to make Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta

Pasta dishes are certainly one of the most popular choices when it comes to home cooked meals since you can have a delicious, nutritious meal on your table in no time.

Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta is also one of those recipes that doesn’t require too much time in the kitchen, which is something we can all appreciate.

Even though it is a relatively simple dish to recreate, this chicken pasta recipe does not lack any depth or complexity when it comes to flavors and aromas.

It is also extremely filling, so you can definitely serve it as a main course.

Ingredients:

(6 servings)

• 1 lb penne pasta (or any other pasta of your choice)
• 3 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 orange bell pepper (sliced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup green onions (sliced)
• 1 jalapeno (minced)
• 3 tbsp jerk seasoning
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)

Instructions:

While the original recipe includes penne pasta, it is up to you to decide what kind of shape you will be using for your version of this jerk chicken pasta.

We find that linguine, fusilli, fettuccine, as well as bow tie pasta can give you a very similar result, depending on what kind of texture you prefer in your pasta dishes.

We also recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese instead of the pre-grated, bagged shredded parmesan, as fresh cheese adds a much more pronounced savory flavor and smokey aroma to the dish.

Step 1:

It is always better to season your chicken breast beforehand and let it marinate in all those flavors before preparing a chicken pasta recipe.

We recommend preparing the chicken and leaving it in the fridge at least 1 hour before cooking it.

Season the chicken with 2 tablespoons of jerk seasoning, making sure to really rub the seasoning in and coat the meat evenly.

Step 2:

Set your oven to 400°F and let it preheat while you brown the chicken on the stove.

Before cooking the chicken, make sure to remove it from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Grab a skillet and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then let it heat up on medium heat.

Place the chicken breast in hot oil and cook it for about 3 minutes on each side, until it develops a golden-brown layer, but make sure not to let it burn.

Step 3:

Once the oven has preheated to 400°F, it is time to place the skillet with the chicken into the oven.

Let the chicken roast for about 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (in case you’re using a thermometer).

Step 4:

In the meantime, fill a large pot with water, add a little bit of salt, then bring it to a boil.

When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and let it cook for about 8 minutes.

If you’d like your pasta to be al dente, make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.

Once it is cooked to your liking, save a little bit of pasta water and set it aside, then drain the pasta.

Step 5:

After about 30 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven, set it aside, and cover it with some aluminum foil to keep it warm.

Now that you’ve prepared both the jerk chicken and the pasta, it is time to start working on the Bahama Breeze pasta sauce.

You can use the same skillet you cooked your chicken in, for some extra flavor, or you can grab a new one and start from scratch.

Add the remaining olive oil into the skillet, and once it has heated up over medium-high heat, add the diced bell peppers and onions into the pan.

Allow them to cook for about 4 minutes.

Step 6:

Once the bell peppers and the onion become soft, it is time to add in green onions and jalapeno, then cook the veggies for another 2 minutes.

Once the veggies are soft and fragrant, it is time to pour in the chicken broth and bring the sauce to a boil.

Step 7:

Turn the heat down and add in heavy cream, parmesan, and some salt, and make sure to stir the sauce well to allow the parmesan to melt.

Pour a bit of that pasta water you saved to create the desired consistency, but make sure to add a little bit at a time.

Now it’s time to add your cooked pasta and combine all the ingredients together.

Serve the pasta on a plate, then top it with chopped jerk chicken and some parsley.

Ingredient substitutions

While this is a copycat recipe, it is not necessary to stick to the exact ingredients in order to get an amazing result.

If you’re looking to substitute some of the recipe ingredients but want to make sure you’re still on the right track, here are some of the most suitable options.

1. Turkey breasts

Turkey breasts are a great swap for chicken breasts, as they’re very similar meat cuts both in texture and flavor.

Some people find turkey a bit chewier, but if you prefer turkey meat over chicken, you can definitely replace it in this dish.

2. Homemade jerk seasoning

There are numerous advantages of making your own seasoning mixture at home, one of them being that you’re completely in control of the ingredients and the amounts.

Also, there are no preservatives or any artificial ingredients in homemade mixtures, which is always a plus.

Here’s what you’ll need for your own jerk seasoning:

• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried parsley

3. Banana peppers

Bell peppers can easily be substituted with any kind of mild pepper, including banana peppers.

You want to stay in the mildly hot range since you’ll also be adding jalapeno which often has a kick to it.

Also, note that the jerk seasoning also includes red pepper flakes which provide a spicy note, as well.

What to serve with Bahama Breeze jerk chicken

It is pretty clear that Bahama Breeze jerk chicken is already a complete meal on its own.

You’ve got your meat component, your veggies, your pasta, as well as the sauce.

However, a good side dish is always welcome, so let’s take a look at some of the best options that could complement this chicken pasta.

Asparagus

Grilled or roasted asparagus is a safe bet whenever you’re out of ideas for your side dish.

It is filling, extremely nutritious, yet neutral enough to be combined with more complex dishes.

Broccoli

Just like asparagus, steamed or roasted broccoli is one of the easiest solutions when you’re all out of ideas for your side dish.

Serving broccoli with your chicken pasta is also a great way to create more balance in your meal and get your daily dose of greens.

Sprinkle some sea salt and grated parmesan cheese on top of your broccoli to add more texture and aroma.

Salad

As we’ve already mentioned, this pasta dish already has all the necessary components that make it a complete meal, so you don’t have to worry about the side dish too much.

A side of your favorite salad with some vinaigrette and lemon juice is just what you need to brighten up the dish.

How to reheat Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta

The best way to properly reheat Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta is to separate the chicken and the pasta and reheat each component individually.

However, if you’re in a rush, you can always warm up the entire dish all at once.

How to reheat Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta on the stovetop

If you’re separating the chicken from the pasta, you want to heat up a piece of butter or a little bit of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, then proceed as follows:

1. Add the sliced jerk chicken and let them heat up for a couple of minutes.
2. Transfer the pasta with the veggies into a saucepan, then let it heat up over low heat.
3. If the pasta has absorbed the sauce, you can add more chicken stock or heavy cream to get that pasta sauce consistency.
4. In case you’re reheating the entire dish all at once, grab a saucepan and heat up a bit of olive oil or butter.
5. Add the chicken pasta and cook it on low heat, stirring constantly to avoid the pasta from sticking to the pan.

You may also add more chicken stock or heavy cream to achieve the desired consistency.

How to reheat Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta in the oven

To reheat the entire pasta dish in the oven, preheat your oven to 400°F.

In the meantime, transfer the chicken pasta to a pot and cover it with aluminum foil.

This step will ensure that the sauce doesn’t evaporate and the meat and the pasta dry out.

Bake the pasta at 400°F for about 6 minutes, or until you’re satisfied with the temperature.

How to store Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta

The most important thing to remember before storing your pasta is to let it cool down completely at room temperature before transferring it to your fridge or freezer.

Store in the fridge

We’d recommend storing your pasta separately from the chicken which will prevent the pasta from getting soggy and mushy.

Place each component into a separate airtight container and keep it in the fridge for no longer than 4 days.

Store in the freezer

If you’d like to freeze your Bahama Breeze jerk chicken pasta, we’d recommend only saving the chicken, as defrosted pasta simply doesn’t taste good.

Place your jerk chicken in an airtight container or a freezer bag and store it for up to 3 months.