Spicy Jambalaya Pasta Chicken Shrimp (Printable)

A bold Cajun-inspired pasta dish with chicken, shrimp, peppers, and a creamy, spicy sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 8 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 - 3.5 oz andouille sausage, sliced (optional)

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small onion, diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 tomatoes, diced
10 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Sauce

11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - ½ cup chicken broth
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 2 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Spices

16 - 2 tsp Cajun seasoning (plus extra for shrimp)
17 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
18 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
19 - ½ tsp dried thyme
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Optional Garnish

21 - Fresh parsley, chopped
22 - Grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

01 - Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and reserve ½ cup pasta water before setting aside.
02 - Coat shrimp evenly with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Season chicken pieces generously with salt, black pepper, and remaining 1 tsp Cajun seasoning.
03 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and sliced sausage; sauté 4–5 minutes until browned completely and cooked through. Transfer to plate.
04 - Add remaining olive oil and butter to same skillet. Place shrimp in pan; cook 1–2 minutes per side until just pink and opaque. Remove and set aside separately.
05 - In same skillet, cook onion and bell peppers 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic; cook 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
06 - Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and thyme. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly to blend flavors.
07 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping bottom of pan to release browned bits. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
08 - Return cooked chicken, sausage, and shrimp to skillet. Add pasta and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed for desired sauce consistency. Adjust seasoning and serve hot, garnished with green onions, parsley, and Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce balances the heat perfectly so you get all the bold flavor without overwhelming your palate
  • Everything cooks in one skillet which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal
  • The combination of shrimp, chicken, and pasta makes it feel substantial enough for dinner guests but simple enough for Tuesday nights
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp becomes rubbery and tough, so pull them from the heat the moment they turn opaque
  • The pasta will continue absorbing sauce as it sits, so do not worry if it looks a little too loose at first
  • Cajun seasoning blends vary dramatically in heat levels, always taste your sauce before adding more cayenne
03 -
  • Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking because this dish comes together fast once the heat is on
  • Use a large skillet with high sides to prevent splattering when you add the cream

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