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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Andouille

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A quick and flavorful creamy Cajun chicken pasta with smoky andouille sausage, perfect for a cozy 30-minute dinner that packs a spicy punch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces sliced andouille sausage (or kielbasa or spicy chorizo as substitute)
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 diced onion (yellow or white)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne or rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving to sear, then stir and cook another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add sliced andouille sausage and sauté for 3 minutes until browned. Add diced onion and sliced bell peppers; cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer and let thicken slightly for 4-5 minutes.
  5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cooked chicken. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat everything in the creamy sauce. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Cajun seasoning if desired. Cook together for another 1-2 minutes until heated through.
  7. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure proper searing. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor. Temper cream by adding broth first to prevent curdling. Al dente pasta holds up better in the creamy sauce. Let chicken rest briefly before adding back to sauce to keep it juicy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, andouille sausage, quick dinner, spicy pasta, comfort food, 30-minute meal

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-with-andouille-recipe-easy-quick-30-minute-dinner/