Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta

I have made cajun pasta before and have used chicken or sausage, I have never used both in the same pasta dish. I also used baby bella mushrooms for the first time. I always use white button mushrooms, but the baby bella's were the same price, so I decided to give them a try. Since I am not a big fan of mushrooms, I did not find the baby bella's to be much different than white. They did taste a little different, but still tasted like a mushroom which is not my favorite. But when mushrooms are mixed with a delicious cajun pasta I can handle eating a few.

Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• cajun seasoning, to taste
• Italian seasoning, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 11 ounces smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain.
2. Generously season both sides of the chicken with black pepper, cajun and Italian seasonings.
3. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until browned on each side and completely cooked. Remove the chicken to a plate and let it rest.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the sausage. Cook until lightly browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the sausage to a big bowl.
5. Clean out the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium heat. Add in the mushrooms and sauté until tender and brown. Remove the mushrooms and add to the bowl with the sausage.
6. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Add in the mince garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant and slightly browned.
7. Add in the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and heavy cream, stirring to mix. Bring the mixture to a light simmer.
8. Stir in the cajun seasoning, paprika and garlic powder.
9. Whisk in the parmesan cheese and continue to whisk until the sauce has thicken and cheese is incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
10. Add in the cooked pasta and mix well.
11. Slice the chicken and add to the pasta along with the sausage and mushrooms, stirring to mix everything together.
12. Cover the skillet and allow to heat for 2-3 minutes to warm up the sausage, mushrooms and chicken.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 682
Total Fat		50g
Saturated Fat		28.3g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat		3g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		256.6mg
Sodium		1650.7mg
Potassium		279.4mg
Total Carbohydrates		13.9g
Dietary Fiber		1.3g
Sugars		2.8g
Protein		50g
Vitamin A 31.9% Vitamin C 3.2%
Calcium 36.6% Iron 11.5%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Yummly.