Description
A comforting blend of creamy pasta with Cajun spices, featuring succulent chicken and savory sausage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced
- 8 oz pasta shells (conchiglie)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta shells and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse gently.
- Sear the Chicken and Sausage: Dust chicken with half the Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add sausage and chicken, and sear for 5-6 minutes until cooked.
- Build the Sauce: Reduce heat, add garlic, and sauté for 1 minute. Pour in broth, cream, and remaining seasoning, scraping browned bits. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Combine Everything: Stir in cooked pasta, chicken, and sausage into the sauce until coated. Sprinkle cheese and cover for 1-2 minutes until melted.
- Serve: Garnish with Cajun seasoning and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Chop chicken and sausage ahead of time for efficiency. Consider adding veggies like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Cajun pasta, creamy pasta, chicken and sausage, weeknight dinner, family meal