Quick Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with Andouille
A quick and easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta with smoky andouille sausage, perfect for busy weeknights. This flavorful dish balances spicy and creamy textures for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
- 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions (10-12 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced andouille sausage and cook 3-4 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside with sausage.
- Lower heat to medium. Add chopped onion and sauté 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning and toast with aromatics for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits from pan. Add heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Simmer sauce on low for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Return chicken and sausage to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss gently. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce coats pasta evenly.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more Cajun seasoning if desired. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Do not rush cooking the chicken to get a nice sear. Keep heat low when simmering cream sauce to prevent separation. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Add reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, andouille sausage, quick dinner, spicy pasta, comfort food