Description
Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken and Sausage Pasta is a delightful one-pan meal combining tender chicken, smoky sausage, and spicy pepper jack cheese in a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish features perfectly cooked pasta simmered directly in the sauce for maximum flavor and convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded pepper jack cheese
Dry & Spices
- 10 ounces uncooked penne or rigatoni pasta
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Cook for about 5–6 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: In the same skillet, add the sliced smoked sausage. Cook for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned and slightly crispy.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the sausage in the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Combine ingredients and add liquids: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add the pasta and simmer: Stir in the uncooked penne or rigatoni pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Melt the cheese and finish the sauce: Stir in the shredded pepper jack cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for another minute or two until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top, and serve hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For extra spice, use hot sausage or add diced jalapeños to the dish.
- The dish thickens as it cools; when reheating leftovers, add a splash of cream or chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
- You can substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta if needed to accommodate dietary preferences.
