Description
This Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts and spicy Andouille sausage simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with Cajun seasoning. Combined with perfectly cooked fettuccine or penne pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese, this hearty meal comes together in under 40 minutes, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs), diced
- 8 oz Andouille sausage, sliced
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Seasonings & Dairy
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Liquids & Aromatics
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Others
- Olive oil (for cooking)
- Parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast and cook for about 5 minutes until it is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the sausage: Stir in the sliced Andouille sausage into the skillet with the chicken. Continue to cook until the sausage is browned and fully cooked.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and Cajun seasoning, allowing the mixture to bubble gently so flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Prepare the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly once cooked.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and proteins. Stir well to combine, then mix in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun chicken and sausage pasta immediately. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy while warm.
Notes
- You can substitute Andouille sausage with smoked sausage or chorizo if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese ensures better flavor and smooth melting.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but sauce may be less rich.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
