Description
A delightful one-pan meal combining Cajun seasoning with chicken, sausage, and a rich creamy sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 links smoked sausage, sliced
- 12 oz penne pasta (or your preferred pasta)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to your liking
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, saving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, cook sausage slices for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Melt butter in the skillet and sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and scrape up any bits from the bottom.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken, sausage, and pasta into the skillet. Toss everything in the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed. Simmer for 2-3 minutes more.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Customize with vegetables like bell peppers or onions for extra flavor. For a lighter version, use grilled chicken and low-fat milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun