Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Inspired by my delightful visits to Lafayette, Louisiana, where the rich culture and tantalizing aromas of Cajun cooking filled the air, this Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta dish combines the warmth of love and hospitality with bold, vibrant flavors. My brother's neighbor, a true Cajun cook, generously shared this recipe, relying on intuitive measurements and shrouded in tradition. The dish is a celebration of tender chicken, smoky Andouille sausage, and an array of colorful vegetables enveloped in a zesty sauce that dances on your palate. It's a one-dish wonder that's perfect for family gatherings or a cozy weeknight dinner, bringing a taste of the South right to your table.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons
garlic, minced
2 teaspoons
soy sauce
3 tablespoons
salt
1 teaspoon
boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 lb (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
butter
1 tablespoon
Andouille sausage
1/2 lb (cut into 1/2 inch slices)
onion, diced
1 medium
bell pepper, diced
1 medium
chicken stock
2 cups
canned crushed tomatoes in puree
1 cup
tomato paste
3 ounces
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon
cumin
1/4 teaspoon
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
bay leaf
1
Pickapeppa Sauce (or your favorite barbeque sauce)
1/4 cup
bell pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
1 medium
red onion, sliced into rings
1 medium
pasta (linguini or your choice)
1 lb
parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your broiler and prepare a baking sheet lined with foil.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the chicken breasts to this marinade and let them sit at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes.
3
Place the marinated chicken under the broiler for about 10 minutes, or until fully cooked. Once done, let the chicken cool slightly before dicing it into 1/2 inch cubes. Set aside.
4
In a large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced Andouille sausage, cooking for about 12 minutes until it begins to brown.
5
Stir in the diced onion and bell pepper to the pan. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables are tender.
6
Next, add the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, remaining salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, and the bay leaf. Mix well and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for approximately 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
7
Meanwhile, in another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of Pickapeppa Sauce, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Toss in the cut bell pepper and red onion. Grill or broil these coated vegetables until they are lightly charred (about 4 to 5 minutes).
8
In a large pot, bring salted water to a rapid boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (5 to 6 minutes for dry pasta or 3 minutes for fresh pasta).
9
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and discard the bay leaf from the sauce mixture. In a wide mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grilled vegetables, and diced chicken along with the jambalaya sauce mixture.
10
Toss gently to ensure everything is well-coated. Serve family-style or in individual bowls, garnishing each serving with freshly chopped parsley.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration behind the Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta?
The recipe was inspired by visits to Lafayette, Louisiana, and was shared by a neighbor of the author's brother who is a true Cajun cook.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
How long should the chicken marinate before cooking?
The chicken should sit in the marinade at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes.
What ingredients are in the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How is the chicken cooked for this dish?
The chicken is placed under a broiler for approximately 10 minutes until fully cooked, then diced into 1/2 inch cubes.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of Andouille sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices.
How long should you cook the Andouille sausage?
The sausage should be cooked in butter over medium heat for about 12 minutes until it begins to brown.
Which vegetables are added to the saucepan with the sausage?
Diced onion and a diced medium bell pepper are added to the pan.
How long do the onion and bell pepper need to cook in the sauce?
They should be cooked for about 10 minutes while stirring frequently until they are tender.
How long should the jambalaya sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for approximately 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
What spices are included in the sauce mixture?
The sauce is seasoned with cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, salt, and a bay leaf.
What tomato products are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of canned crushed tomatoes in puree and 3 ounces of tomato paste.
What is Pickapeppa Sauce used for in this dish?
It is used in a mixture with olive oil and soy sauce to coat bell peppers and red onions before they are grilled or broiled.
Can I substitute Pickapeppa Sauce?
Yes, you can substitute Pickapeppa Sauce with your favorite barbeque sauce.
How are the extra bell peppers and red onions prepared?
They are cut into squares and rings, coated in a sauce mixture, and then grilled or broiled until lightly charred for 4 to 5 minutes.
What type of pasta is recommended for this Cajun dish?
Linguini is recommended, though you can use any pasta of your choice.
How long does it take to cook the pasta?
Dry pasta takes 5 to 6 minutes to reach al dente, while fresh pasta takes about 3 minutes.
What should be done with the bay leaf before serving?
The bay leaf should be discarded from the sauce mixture once the simmering is complete.
What is used to garnish the final dish?
Each serving should be garnished with 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is described as a one-dish wonder that is perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
What size should the chicken cubes be?
The chicken should be diced into 1/2 inch cubes after it has been broiled.
What kind of chicken is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast.
How much butter is used for browning the sausage?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of butter for cooking the sausage.
What size should the bell peppers be for the grilled portion?
The bell pepper should be cut into 1 inch squares for the grilled or broiled component.
How is the red onion prepared for grilling?
The red onion should be sliced into rings before being coated and charred.
How is the final dish assembled?
Combine the cooked pasta, grilled vegetables, and diced chicken with the jambalaya sauce in a wide mixing bowl and toss gently.
What total amount of soy sauce is listed in the ingredients?
The ingredient list specifies 3 tablespoons of soy sauce in total.
What is the recommended serving style?
The dish can be served family-style or in individual bowls.
Does the recipe use chicken stock?
Yes, the ingredient list includes 2 cups of chicken stock for the sauce.
How should you prepare the baking sheet for the chicken?
The baking sheet should be lined with foil before preheating the broiler.