If you're looking for a bold, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes, this Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta is about to become your new weeknight favorite! Tender, juicy chicken and smoky andouille sausage are tossed with pasta in a rich, creamy Cajun cream sauce that's loaded with Southern spice and comfort.
Whether you're a fan of Louisiana cooking or just love a hearty, satisfying pasta dinner, this easy Cajun recipe delivers big flavors with minimal effort. It's the kind of comfort food the whole family will be asking for again and again!
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What makes this recipe so yummy 😋
Bold Cajun seasoning: A generous blend of spices gives this dish its signature smoky, spicy kick that keeps you coming back for more.
Smoky andouille sausage: This Louisiana staple adds a deep, rich smokiness that takes the flavor to a whole new level.
Creamy, dreamy sauce: The luscious Cajun cream sauce coats every strand of pasta perfectly, making each bite indulgent and satisfying.
Juicy, tender chicken: Seasoned and seared to golden perfection, the chicken adds hearty protein that makes this a truly complete meal.
Quick and easy: Ready in just 30 minutes on the stovetop, this is weeknight comfort food at its absolute best.
One pan wonder: Less mess, less cleanup, more time to enjoy your meal!
Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Hint: I cut the andouille sausage into smaller pieces so that the kids don't get such a big bite of heat. Then keep the regular smoked sausage as coin slices.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
Following is a list of variations and alternate ideas for substitutes that you could play with in this recipe:
- Protein Swaps: Swap chicken for shrimp for a classic Louisiana-style Cajun shrimp pasta.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the meat and adding bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini instead.
- Pasta Options: Penne, fettuccine, rigatoni, or linguine all work beautifully with this creamy Cajun sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free without sacrificing any flavor.
- Dairy Adjustments: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, or use coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Cream cheese can be added for an extra thick and tangy sauce.
- Spice Level: Reduce the Cajun seasoning for a milder, family-friendly version. Crank up the heat with extra cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce for spice lovers.
- Vegetable Add-ins: Toss in spinach, cherry tomatoes, corn, or diced bell peppers for extra color, nutrition, and flavor.
Recipe troubleshooting
A place to see any obvious issues that we encountered when testing this recipe for you:
- My sauce is too thick. Add a splash of reserved pasta water or chicken broth a little at a time, stirring until you reach your desired consistency. Always reserve some pasta water before draining - it's liquid gold for sauces!
- My sauce is too thin. Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce and thicken. You can also stir in a little parmesan cheese, which helps bind and thicken the sauce naturally.
- The pasta is sticking together. Make sure you toss the pasta with the sauce immediately after draining. A drizzle of olive oil while the pasta is waiting can also help prevent sticking.
- My chicken is dry. Avoid cooking too long, as the rotisserie chicken is already cooked. You really only need to warm it through.
- The dish is too spicy. Stir in a little extra heavy cream or butter to mellow the heat, or serve with a dollop of sour cream on top. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also help balance the spice.
- There's brown stuck bits on the bottom of my pan. This is a good thing. Scrape up all those burned bits, it will add flavor to your sauce.
More pasta recipes I think you'll love
Mel's kitchen notes
If you want to add some liquid to your sauce at the end, or to loosen up the dish add a splash of pasta water.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional food photographer, home cook, and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.
Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more recently having appeared on Food Network's "100 Cooks".
If you've tried this Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
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Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Equipment
- 1 4.5 Quart Pot
- 1 Colander
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Penne Pasta
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 Each Yellow Onion small, diced
- 1 Each Green Bell Pepper small, diced
- 1 Rib Celery diced
- 16 Ounces Smoked Sausage Sliced
- 8 Ounces Andouille Sausage diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese softened, cut into cubes
- 1 Cup Rotisserie Chicken shredded
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 Each Green Onions Chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente, in salted water. Drain and set aside.16 Ounces Penne Pasta, 2 teaspoons Salt
- Add the butter to a large skillet and turn on heat to medium.2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- Add the diced onions, bell pepper and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.1 Each Yellow Onion, 1 Each Green Bell Pepper, 1 Rib Celery
- Add the sausage and cook another 10 minutes until the sausage starts to caramelize somewhat.16 Ounces Smoked Sausage, 8 Ounces Andouille Sausage
- Add the garlic and cook another 2 minutes.3 Cloves Garlic
- Add the cubed cream cheese and shredded chicken and stir until the cheese has melted.4 Ounces Cream Cheese, 1 Cup Rotisserie Chicken
- Stir in the cream and allow everything to get bubbly and hot.1 Cup Heavy Cream
- Add the seasoning, stir until combined, then turn off the heat.1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Onion Powder, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and fold into the creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle with green onions and serve.
Storage Instructions
Once cooled completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days. |. This recipe will freeze well too, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.Nutrition
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