Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta Skillet
Creamy, spicy, and downright comforting — this Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta Skillet is the kind of weeknight hero that turns ordinary ingredients into a family-favorite feast.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 links Smoked sausage Sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
Pasta
- 12 oz Penne pasta Or your preferred pasta
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Grated
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth
- 3 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tablespoon Butter
Garnish
- to taste Fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, saving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned and slightly crisp on the edges. Remove the sausage and set aside with the chicken.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and melt 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan — those bits are pure flavor.
- Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it thicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Return the cooked chicken and sausage to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Simmer for another 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld and the pasta soaks up some sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. This dish can be frozen, but cream sauces may change texture. If you plan to freeze, freeze the pasta without sauce or use a dairy-stable alternative; freeze for up to 2 months.