Ingredients
Scale
Gathering ingredients for this dish reminds me of trips to the market with Mama Lou, her hands deftly picking the freshest produce and best cuts of meat. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Feel free to substitute the smoked sausage with andouille for a more traditional Cajun kick, or use turkey sausage for a lighter version. Remember, flexibility is key in cooking, much like how Mama Lou taught me to adapt recipes to suit what we had in our pantry.
Instructions
Cooking this dish is as much about the process as it is about the final product. Let’s dive into the steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Add the onion and bell pepper to the pot, sautéing until they begin to soften, roughly 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Return the chicken and sausage to the pot. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and penne pasta. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
- Stir in the hot sauce if using, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Each step echoes the lessons from my childhood, where patience and attention to detail were key. Mama Lou always said, “The secret ingredient is always love,” and I couldn’t agree more.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
