Mardi Gras Pasta with Cajun Sauce (Printable Version)
A festive pasta dish with Cajun-seasoned chicken, andouille sausage, colorful bell peppers, and a creamy spicy sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), sliced into strips
02 - 5.3 oz andouille sausage, sliced
→ Seasonings
03 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Vegetables
07 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
08 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
09 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
10 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy and Sauces
12 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/4 cup chicken broth
14 - 1.75 oz grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pasta
15 - 12.3 oz penne or fettuccine
→ Oils and Fats
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
19 - Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss chicken strips with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sausage, cooking 5-7 minutes while turning occasionally until chicken is cooked through and golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and butter. Sauté bell peppers and red onion for 4-5 minutes until slightly softened.
05 - Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Parmesan cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
07 - Return chicken, sausage, and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and toss thoroughly to coat everything in sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The trio of colorful bell peppers creates a stunning visual presentation that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually comes together in less than an hour.
- The creamy sauce hits that perfect balance between indulgent comfort food and bold flavors that wake up your taste buds after the first forkful.
02 -
- After ruining an entire batch by walking away from the cream sauce for just two minutes, I now understand that cream sauces need constant attention to prevent separating or scorching.
- The pasta will continue absorbing liquid after cooking, so keeping the sauce slightly thinner than you think necessary ensures perfect consistency when serving.
03 -
- After testing multiple cooking vessels, I found that a cast iron skillet creates the best flavor development and even heat distribution for both the protein and sauce stages.
- Reserve about half a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, then add a splash to your final dish if the sauce ever needs loosening without diluting flavor.