Spicy Jambalaya Pasta Chicken (Printable)
Creole-style pasta with chicken, shrimp, smoked sausage in a spicy tomato cream sauce with peppers.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 7 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 7 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 - 3.5 oz smoked andouille sausage, sliced
→ Pasta
04 - 10.5 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
07 - 1 medium onion, sliced
08 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauce
09 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
10 - ½ cup heavy cream
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Oil & Garnish
17 - 2 tbsp olive oil
18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
19 - Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and sausage; season with half the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Add shrimp, seasoning lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Cajun seasoning. Cook 1-2 minutes per side until just pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, and remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Pour in heavy cream and mix well. Bring to a gentle simmer. Return chicken, sausage, and shrimp to the pan. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The tomato cream sauce creates this incredible velvety texture that clings to every bite of pasta while still delivering that authentic Cajun kick
- Everything cooks in one skillet besides the pasta meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner with people you love
02 -
- Overcooking the shrimp makes them rubbery so remove them the second they turn pink even if other elements need more time
- The sauce will thicken as it rests with the pasta so do not panic if it looks slightly loose in the pan
03 -
- Pat your proteins dry with paper towels before seasoning to get better searing and browning
- Warm your cream slightly before adding to prevent it from breaking when it hits the hot tomato mixture