Description
Cajun chicken and sausage pasta delivers a fiery Southern embrace with rich, bold flavors dancing through each savory bite. Hearty ingredients meld into a creamy, zesty masterpiece that pulls you straight to Louisiana’s passionate culinary heart.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Andouille sausage, sliced
Seasonings and Spices:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon additional Cajun seasoning (optional)
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Warm a spacious cast-iron skillet over robust medium-high heat, generously coating the surface with fragrant olive oil.
- Meticulously coat chicken pieces with a harmonious blend of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and half the zesty Cajun seasoning.
- Carefully nestle seasoned chicken into the sizzling skillet, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown masterpiece, cooking approximately 6-7 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Transfer perfectly seared chicken to a resting plate, letting the juices redistribute and flavors intensify.
- Within the same skillet, introduce sliced sausage, allowing each piece to caramelize and develop a rich, deep bronze exterior for roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Gently extract sausage and place alongside the rested chicken, preserving the accumulated flavor-packed drippings in the pan.
- Lower the heat and introduce minced garlic, stirring rapidly to prevent burning and release its aromatic essence.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, whisking continuously to incorporate the residual pan remnants and create a velvety base.
- Sprinkle remaining Cajun seasoning into the cream sauce, creating a vibrant, rustic color and intensifying the spicy profile.
- Allow sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
- Reintroduce chicken and sausage into the creamy sauce, gently coating each morsel.
- Fold cooked pasta directly into the skillet, ensuring every strand becomes enrobed in the luxurious, spice-laden sauce.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of verdant color and brightness.
Notes
- Choose andouille or spicy smoked sausage for an authentic Cajun flavor profile that adds depth and richness to the dish.
- Use low-sodium Cajun seasoning to control salt levels, especially if using pre-seasoned sausage which can be quite salty.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Gluten-free option: Replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 730
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg