Description
How to make one pot creamy garlic butter Cajun chicken and sausage pasta with bold spices and tender meat that satisfies every comfort food craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Base
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cajun Seasonings
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Finishing Touches
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Proteins: Mix all Cajun seasonings in a bowl. Toss chicken pieces with half the spice blend until evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes while you prep other ingredients.
- Brown Meats: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken until golden, about 5 minutes. Add sausage and cook 3 more minutes until browned.
- Build Base: Add butter and minced garlic to the pot. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add remaining Cajun seasoning and stir for another 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Add Pasta: Pour in chicken broth and add uncooked pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Create Cream: When pasta is tender, reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with green onions and fresh parsley before serving immediately.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken and sausage – it adds crucial flavor depth to the entire dish.
- Stir pasta frequently during cooking to prevent sticking since there’s less liquid than traditional methods.
- Add cream off the heat or on very low heat to prevent curdling and maintain smooth texture.
- Let the finished dish rest 2-3 minutes before serving so sauce can thicken and coat properly.
- Leftover pasta will thicken in the fridge but reheats beautifully with a splash of broth.
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference in the final presentation and flavor brightness.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g