Spicy Jambalaya Pasta Chicken (Printable)

Creole-inspired pasta with chicken, shrimp, sausage, and a flavorful spicy tomato cream sauce.

# 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 (plus more to taste)
13 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
14 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
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)

# How-To 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. Cook for 4–5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet 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 for 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, mixing thoroughly, and 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The heavy cream transforms the classic Creole flavors into something unexpectedly luxurious
  • You get tender chicken, plump shrimp, AND smoky sausage in every single bite
02 -
  • Overcooked shrimp will turn rubbery—remove them the second they turn pink
  • The sauce will thicken as it sits with the pasta, so don't reduce it too far
03 -
  • Taste your Cajun seasoning blend first—some are saltier than others
  • Let the cream come to room temperature slightly to prevent curdling when you add it

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