Description
Cajun Chicken Pasta with Sausage is a creamy Southern-inspired pasta recipe made with Cajun-seasoned chicken, smoky sausage, tender pasta, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces smoked sausage (Andouille or smoked beef sausage)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 4 quarts water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
- Extra grated Parmesan (optional garnish)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional garnish)
- Lemon zest (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and let rest.
- Slice the smoked sausage into thin rounds.
- Add olive oil to the same skillet and cook the sausage until browned and slightly crisp. Remove and set aside if needed.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Slice the rested chicken into thin strips.
- In the same skillet melt butter and sauté garlic, diced onion, and red bell pepper for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Pour in the heavy cream and simmer gently while scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season the sauce with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add a little reserved pasta water if needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Return the sliced chicken and cooked sausage to the pan and toss everything together.
- Garnish with parsley, Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and creates a smoother Alfredo-style sauce.
- Andouille sausage adds authentic Cajun flavor, but smoked beef sausage also works well.
- You can add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for extra vegetables.
- For extra spice add cayenne pepper or additional Cajun seasoning.
- Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat well with a splash of milk or cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern / Cajun Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 125mg