Description
This One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken, smoky sausage, and a spicy Cajun kick all cooked together in a rich Alfredo sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a perfect hearty meal for busy weeknights that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 pound chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 14 oz smoked sausage, sliced on the diagonal
Pantry & Dairy
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 pound penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, plus more to taste
- 4 oz freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more as needed
Garnish
- Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken until it’s nicely seared on all sides.
- Add Sausage: Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook together with the chicken until the sausage is lightly browned and fragrant.
- Cook Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about two minutes to release its flavor, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Ingredients: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, heavy cream, uncooked penne pasta, and Cajun seasoning. Stir everything to combine well.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
- Finish: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the freshly shredded Parmesan cheese until melted into the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning by adding more Cajun seasoning if desired. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley before serving.
Notes
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture at its peak.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the sausage diagonally to maximize flavor and presentation.
- For a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or opt for a Cajun blend with less heat.
- You can substitute penne with other sturdy pasta shapes such as rigatoni or fusilli.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
