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Ultra close-up macro food photography of creamy Cajun chicken and sausage pasta in skillet with bubbling Cajun garlic parmesan sauce, seared chicken and andouille sausage

Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta: Easy 30-Min Dinner

Tender golden-seared chicken breast bites and smoky caramelized andouille sausage tossed with penne pasta in a rich, velvety garlic parmesan Cajun cream sauce. A restaurant-worthy one-skillet dinner ready in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Seasoned Chicken & Smoky Sausage
  • 1 lb chicken breast
  • 12 oz andouille sausage
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
Pasta & Velvety Cajun Cream Sauce
  • 10 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 1 medium red bell pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese
  • 3 stalks green onions
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley

Method
 

Step-by-Step Cooking Walkthrough
  1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions (about 9 to 10 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  2. Season & Sear Chicken: Toss cubed chicken breast with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Transfer to a warm plate.
  3. Brown Andouille Sausage: Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sliced andouille sausage to the same skillet. Sear for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply browned with caramelized edges. Transfer sausage to the plate with chicken.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the savory pan drippings. Add diced yellow onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until tender. Add minced garlic and the remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning; sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Simmer Creamy Cajun Sauce: Pour in fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream. Stir well, scraping up any flavorful browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese until completely melted and velvety.
  6. Combine, Garnish & Serve: Return the cooked chicken, andouille sausage, and drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly for 2 minutes to coat every piece of pasta in the rich Cajun cream sauce (add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen). Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley, and serve piping hot!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 34gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 790mgPotassium: 640mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 3.6mg

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