Description
Hearty jambalaya pasta blends Creole flavors with classic Italian technique. Succulent shrimp, spicy andouille sausage, and bold seasonings create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 8–14 ounces andouille or smoked sausage, sliced 1/2-inch thick on the diagonal
- 1/2 lb raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed (31–40 count)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, about 1 cup‘s worth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces, about 1 cup‘s worth
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
Liquid, Pasta, and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil, divided
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces dry linguine or spaghetti pasta, broken in half
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning mix, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped small
- Additional salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with oil. Sear sausage until lightly browned, approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer sausage to a separate bowl.
- In the same skillet, add additional oil and cook chicken seasoned with Cajun spices. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and nearly cooked through.
- Incorporate onions, garlic, and bell peppers into the chicken. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken and vegetables to the sausage bowl.
- Pour tomatoes, chicken broth, and remaining Cajun spices into the skillet. Bring liquid to a rapid boil over high heat. Add pasta, reduce temperature to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Uncover and gently separate pasta. Stir in cream and shrimp. Simmer for another 4-5 minutes until shrimp turns pinkish-orange and pasta reaches al dente consistency.
- Return sausage, chicken, and vegetable mixture to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish generously with fresh parsley. Allow dish to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Sausage Selection Choose spicy Andouille or mild smoked sausage based on your heat preference, enhancing the authentic Cajun flavor profile.
- Seafood Swap Replace shrimp with chicken or tofu for dietary restrictions, maintaining the dish’s protein-packed essence.
- Pasta Perfection Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate different nutritional needs without compromising taste.
- Spice Control Adjust Cajun seasoning levels to create a mild or fiery experience, catering to individual spice tolerances.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Creole/Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg