Spicy Jambalaya Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Bold Cajun spices with tender chicken, smoked sausage, and creamy pasta in a vibrant sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 7 oz smoked Andouille sausage, sliced

→ Pasta

03 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 small red onion, sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 celery stalk, sliced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - ½ cup chicken broth
14 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
15 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
16 - ¼–½ tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
19 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half the Cajun seasoning. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add sausage slices. Brown for 2–3 minutes, then remove and set aside with the chicken.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then sauté bell peppers, onion, celery, and garlic for 4–5 minutes until softened.
05 - Stir in diced tomatoes, remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
06 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let sauce thicken slightly for 4–5 minutes.
07 - Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Simmer for 2 more minutes to heat through.
08 - Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The Cajun spices create this beautiful warmth that builds gradually, never overwhelming your palate
  • Cream and tomatoes form the most luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to every bite of pasta
02 -
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it stands, so do not panic if it seems slightly thin when you first combine everything
  • Cajun seasoning blends vary wildly in salt content, so taste your sauce before adding any extra salt
03 -
  • Let your chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it sears instead of steams
  • Do not skip the butter even if you have olive oil in the pan because it adds necessary richness to the vegetables

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