Ingredients
– 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
– 1 pound chicken breasts
– 6 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into ¼ inch pieces
– 8 ounces baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
– Cajun seasoning to taste
– Italian seasoning to taste
– Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup sodium-free chicken broth
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– ½ teaspoon garlic powder
– ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
– Sea salt to taste
– 8 ounces penne pasta
Instructions
1-Preparing this smoked sausage and chicken dish starts with boiling the penne pasta to al dente for the best texture. Begin by seasoning the whole chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to enhance their natural flavors while keeping them juicy. Once seasoned, sear the chicken breasts in a skillet without slicing them first, cooking until just browned to lock in moisture this step is crucial for tender results.
2-Next, in a separate pan, brown the sliced smoked sausage over medium heat for a few minutes to release its smoky essence. Then, sauté the sliced baby Bella mushrooms in a portion of the unsalted butter until they soften and develop a rich color. Lightly cook the minced garlic in the same pan to avoid burning, adding a fragrant base to the sauce.
3-After that, simmer the sodium-free chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, heavy cream, additional Cajun seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder together in the pan, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese to thicken the sauce smoothly without any clumps forming. For more ideas on chicken preparation, check out our guide on how to make oven-baked chicken legs, which offers similar techniques for juicy results.
4-Finally, combine the cooked penne pasta with the creamy sauce, then mix in the sliced chicken, browned smoked sausage, and sautéed mushrooms to reheat everything together. Serve the dish immediately to enjoy its best flavor and texture, making it a hit for family dinners or gatherings.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍗 Sear chicken breasts whole rather than slicing first to lock in juices and prevent dry, overcooked meat.
🧈 Add Parmesan cheese gradually while whisking constantly to create a smooth, creamy sauce without any clumps.
🌶️ Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to your spice preference – start with less and add more if you like it hotter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American Cajun
- Diet: Contains Meat and Dairy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6
- Calories: 852
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 1156
- Fat: 51
- Saturated Fat: 27
- Unsaturated Fat: 24
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 51
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 46
- Cholesterol: 219
