Mardi Gras Pasta Creamy Cajun (Printable)
A vibrant pasta with chicken, sausage, peppers and a creamy, spicy Cajun sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 7 oz smoked andouille sausage, sliced
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 - 1 green onion, sliced
→ Pasta
09 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Sauce & Seasonings
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - 1 cup heavy cream
17 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
18 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with half the Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5–6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add sliced andouille sausage and cook for 2–3 minutes until edges are browned. Remove and combine with the cooked chicken.
04 - Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Cook bell peppers, red onion, and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Add heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer.
06 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and sauce begins to thicken, approximately 2–3 minutes.
07 - Return cooked chicken and sausage to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss everything together until evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce.
08 - Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning as desired.
09 - Plate the pasta while hot. Top with chopped fresh parsley and sliced green onion for color and freshness.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce hits that perfect spot where creamy meets spicy, and suddenly dinner feels like a celebration
- Everything cooks in one skillet, so you get maximum flavor with minimum cleanup
02 -
- Dont be tempted to skip the Cajun seasoning or reduce it too much, thats what makes this dish special
- The sauce will thicken as it stands off the heat, so dont worry if it looks slightly thin in the pan
03 -
- Prep all your ingredients before starting because the cooking moves fast once you hit the stove
- Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre shredded, it melts into the sauce much better