Jerk & Cajun Chicken W/ Sausage & Penne + Rotini 🍝
Jerk & Cajun chicken W/ Sausage and Penne + Rotini noodles
Ingredients:
Penne/Rotini noodles
Turkey Sausage
Chicken tenderloins
Bell peppers
Onions
Jerk Seasoning
Slap ya mama
Shredded cheese
Heavy cream
Recipe: Cut up your chicken (bite size), season it with jerk seasoning, Goya total seasoning (green bottle), garlic and herb and paprika. I let it marinate overnight but you don't necessarily have to. Then put your sausages in the air fryer or fry it on the stove. While that's cooking, put your chicken, cut up bell peppers and onions in a pan with a little bit of water at the bottom. Mix it so that the water is completely seasoned, cover and let it cook until chicken is done (like 10-15mins). Boil water with olive oil, add pasta, let it cook until noodles are soft. Drain and add a little more olive oil to prevent sticking. The sauce is made with heavy cream. Pour a cup of it in a pot, add bell peppers and slap ya mama. Let it boil on medium and then add shredded cheese. Stir consistently while boiling on med-high for 5mins. Then add the chicken(scrape the pot in there) to the pasta, add the sausage, mix and then add the cheese sauce. Once completely mixed, add a little slap mama and parsley flakes on top
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Okay, so you just tried my Jerk & Cajun Chicken & Sausage Pasta recipe, right? If you're anything like me, you're probably already thinking about how to make it even better or what other twists you can add! This dish is so versatile, and I've got a few extra tips and ideas to really elevate your pasta game and bring out even more of those incredible flavors. First off, let's talk about those amazing spice profiles. The Jerk seasoning gives it that warm, aromatic, slightly sweet heat, while Cajun spices bring a more savory, earthy kick. To get that real "New Orleans pasta" vibe that some of you might be craving (like those amazing Kickback Jacks dishes!), don't be shy with your seasoning blend. I sometimes like to add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne to my Cajun mix for extra depth and a bit more heat. And while my recipe already includes those essential bell peppers and onions, if you want to lean even more into the Creole/Cajun "holy trinity," try adding some finely diced celery when you sauté them. It adds an extra layer of aromatic flavor that's just *chef's kiss*! For the sausage, I used turkey sausage, but feel free to experiment! A good quality smoked pork sausage (andouille is fantastic if you can find it!) will give the dish a richer, more robust flavor that totally complements the spices. Just remember to adjust your cooking time for different types of sausage. The key is getting a nice sear on it before adding it to the pasta. Now, about that luscious, creamy sauce – it's what pulls everything together! A common question I get is how to ensure it stays perfectly smooth and doesn't split. My secret is to keep the heat on medium-low once the heavy cream is in, and stir constantly, especially after adding the shredded cheese. Melting the cheese slowly and gradually helps it emulsify beautifully. If you want to make it a little lighter, you can try half-and-half, but for that ultimate indulgence and restaurant-quality richness, heavy cream is truly the way to go. You can also thicken it slightly with a cornstarch slurry if needed, but usually, just letting it simmer gently for a few minutes does the trick. And speaking of the chicken, marinating it overnight with the jerk seasoning really makes a difference for tenderness and flavor penetration. But if you're short on time, even 30 minutes will infuse a good amount of taste. Make sure your chicken pieces are bite-sized so they cook evenly and integrate well with the pasta and sauce. The OCR mentioned "Yum!!" and that's exactly the reaction you want when you see those perfectly coated noodles. Finally, let's talk about sides and serving. This dish is hearty enough on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple crusty garlic bread to sop up all that amazing sauce, or a fresh, crisp green salad to cut through the richness. It also reheats surprisingly well, making it great for meal prep during the week. Just add a splash of milk or cream when reheating to bring back that creamy texture. Experiment with these tips and make this Jerk & Cajun pasta truly your own. You'll be amazed at how easily you can bring those big, bold flavors right into your kitchen!