Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken & Sausage Pasta
A luscious pasta dish featuring creamy sauce, zippy Pepper Jack cheese, chunks of juicy chicken, and smoky sausage.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Meats
- 1 lb Turkey sausage, sliced
- 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Pasta
- 12 oz Rotini or penne pasta
Sauce
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1.5 cups Shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 small Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Brown the meats. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced turkey sausage and cook until it starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the diced chicken breasts, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until the chicken is golden and no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the meats from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: Sauté aromatics. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Build the sauce. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add the heavy cream and Italian seasoning, stirring well to combine.
- Step 5: Melt the cheese. Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded Pepper Jack cheese and grated Parmesan. Continue stirring until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Step 6: Combine and finish. Return the cooked chicken and sausage to the skillet, stirring to coat in the cheesy sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until evenly combined. Taste and adjust with more salt or pepper as needed.
- Step 7: Serve. Dish the pasta into bowls, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color, and enjoy immediately!
Notes
For an extra flavor boost, use smoked turkey sausage or swap in andouille for a bit more heat. You can easily substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer juicier meat.