This easy creamy cajun chicken sausage pasta recipe went viral on TikTok. The homemade alfredo sauce is creamy smoky, spicy and cheesy with juicy chicken, andouille sausage, and penne pasta.
Perfect weeknight dinner made in 30 minutes and served right from the skillet. I'll show you step by step how easy it is to make.
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TikTok Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta With Sausage
Why did this recipe go viral? Pasta recipes are so popular on TikTok, Instagram and Youtubeand have millions of views.
This has classic cajun flavors including onions, bell peppers, garlic, and andouille sausage. Which adds so much flavor to the creamy alfredo sauce that is topped onto the juicy chicken and penne pasta. Yum.
Love Pasta? Check out these indulgent recipes - TikTok Spaghetti Alfredo, Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Viral Sheet Pan Lasagna and 17 The Best Viral TikTok Pasta Recipes List !!
Cajun Spices
First thing is choosing a cajun spice blend. Most people have their favorite but if you don’t, popular choices are Tony’s Chachere’s, Slap Ya Mama, Ragin Cajun, McCormick, Louisiana Fish Fry Brand, and organic store brands and blends.
If your low or all out of cajun seasoning make a quick homemade version with spices you already have in your spice cabinet. Smoked or sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powder, black and white pepper, oregano, thyme, and salt.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Chicken- Thin whole chicken breast is what I used but tenders or thighs will work perfectly. You can also cut them into chunks prior to cooking them.
Cajun Seasoning - Your favorite brand, blend, or homemade would be delicious.
Sausage - Andouille sausage add great flavor to the sauce. Substitute with your favorite smoked sausage if you prefer. There are also amazing cajun style sausages that are made with chicken or turkey as well.
Butter & Oil - Unsalted is best to control the sodium. Use a high temp neutral oil like avocado or vegetable.
Onion, Bell Peppers & Garlic- Fresh chopped garlic, onion, and bell peppers are best. Any of these vegetables can be omitted if you prefer.
Heavy Cream - Heavy whipping cream is used to easily make a quick alfredo sauce. Substitute half and half in a pinch.
Parmesan - Freshly grated parmesan is best. To save time use pre-shredded or grated.
Tomato Paste - Canned or tubbed tomato paste are convenient. Substitute tomato sauce or puree.
Pasta - Any short or long pasta would be great. Penne, bowtie, rigatoni, linguini, or fettuccini.
Tips and Suggestions
Start boiling your pasta first, while cooking the chicken, to get dinner on the table quicker.
Marinate the chicken in the cajun spices overnight for best flavor.
Want a lighter alfredo sauce? Substitute the heavy cream for half and half and chicken broth.
Set aside about a half cup of the spicy alfredo sauce. To garnish the top of the chicken with.
Substitute or swap the chicken for shrimp or salmon.
If you want to save time use a good quality jarred alfredo sauce instead of making it.
Make the alfredo sauce spicer with extra cayenne pepper, cajun seasoning or chopped jalapeños.
How To Reduce The Heat Level?
If you love cajun flavor but want to reduce the heat.
- Make you own homemade cajun blend reducing or removing the cayenne pepper.
- Choose a less spicy smoked sausage, traditional andouille sausage tends to have more heat.
- Use about half or less of a store bought cajun blend and remember the heavy cream and parmesan cheese does help to reduce that heat level.
How To Serve Viral TikTok Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
This spicy cajun chicken pasta is made in one pot or skillet and can be taken straight to the dinner table.
Serve with roasted or steamed vegetables and garlic bread as sides or make a cool and crispy salad.
Try this Viral Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Salad or 15 Minute Easy Garlic Bread recipe!!
Leftovers and Storage
If there are any leftovers, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and easily reheated in the microwave.
Making this for meal prep? It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Step By Step Photos and Directions
- Grab all the ingredients and prep them.
- In a bowl add thin chicken breasts and season with cajun spices, salt, pepper and other spices of choice. Set aside.
3. In a large saucepan bring water to boil to cook the penne pasta. Cook pasta using the package directions till al dente or the consistency you prefer.
4. Reserve about ¼ - ½ cup of the pasta water for the spicy alfredo sauce.
5. In a skillet on medium heat add the butter and oil. Cook the seasoned chicken in batches, remove, and set aside. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked.
6. Raise the heat to medium high, add sliced andouille sausage, cook until brown. Remove and set aside.
7. Reduce the heat to low-medium add chopped onion, garlic, peppers and tomato paste. Saute 2-3 minutes.
8. Deglaze the skillet with ¼ cup of reserved pasta water.
9. Add heavy cream and mix well until the sauce is hot.
10. Reduce heat to low and slowly add in grated parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. (Save about ½ cup of the sauce to drizzle onto the chicken later).
11. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the cooked pasta and andouille sausage.
12. Top with the cooked cajun chicken breasts, drizzle the reserved sauce on each piece, and garnish with extra parmesan and chopped parsley. Enjoy.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Skillet
- Tongs
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Bowl
- Cooking Spoon
- Metal Wire Whisk
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb. Chicken Breast, Tenders or Thighs (Cut or Pounded Thin)
- 2 teaspoon - 1 tbsp. Cajun Seasoning Blend
- Extra spices - Onion and Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Pepper, and Salt Optional
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon Avocado or Vegetable Oil
Alfredo Sauce
- 12 oz. Andouille Sausage (sliced)
- ½-1 cup Bell Peppers (Diced)
- ½-1 cup Onion (Diced)
- 2 teaspoon - 1 tbsp. Garlic (Chopped)
- 2 tsp tsp. Tomato Paste
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 ½ cups Parmesan Cheese (Grated)
- ¼ - ½ cup Reserved Pasta Water
- 2 cups Dry Penne Pasta
- 1 tbsp Parsley (chopped)
Instructions
Season Chicken
- In a bowl add thin chicken breasts and season with cajun spices, salt, pepper and other spices of choice. Set aside. Marinate overnight is best, if you have the time.
Cook Pasta
- In a large saucepan bring water to boil to cook the penne pasta. Cook pasta using the package directions till al dente or the consistency you prefer. Reserve about ¼ - ½ cup of the pasta water for the spicy alfredo sauce.
Cook The Chicken and Alfredo Sauce
- In a skillet on medium heat add the butter and oil. Cook the seasoned chicken in batches, remove, and set aside. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked.
- Raise the heat to medium high, add sliced andouille sausage, cook until brown. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to low-medium add chopped onion, garlic, peppers and tomato paste. Saute 2-3 minutes.
- Deglaze the skillet with ¼ cup of reserved pasta water. Add heavy cream and mix well until the sauce is hot.Use a whisk to scrape the bottom to mix in all that good flavor.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly add in grated parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. (Save about ½ cup of the sauce to drizzle onto the chicken later).
- Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the cooked pasta and andouille sausage. Top with the cooked cajun chicken breasts, drizzle the reserved sauce on each piece, and garnish with extra parmesan and chopped parsley. Enjoy.
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