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Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken and Sausage Pasta Skillet

Creamy Pepper Jack Chicken and Sausage Pasta Skillet


  • Author: Emily Wilkinson
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the pasta and proteins:

    • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

    • 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds

    • 1 tsp garlic powder

    • 1 tsp onion powder

    • ½ tsp smoked paprika

    • Salt & black pepper to taste

For the creamy sauce:

    • 2 tbsp butter

    • 4 cloves garlic, minced

    • 1½ cups heavy cream

    • 4 oz cream cheese, softened

    • 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese

    • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

    • ½ tsp Cajun seasoning (optional for extra kick)

    • ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)

    • Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish


Instructions

Preparation

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.

Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Add the chicken to the skillet and sauté for about 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Add in the sliced smoked sausage and cook for another 2–3 minutes until lightly browned. Once cooked, transfer both the chicken and sausage to a plate and set aside.

Step 4: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant.

Step 5: Lower the heat slightly and pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until it fully melts into the sauce.

Step 6: Stir in the Pepper Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and thickened. Add Cajun seasoning and taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 7: Return the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the creamy sauce. Then add the cooked chicken and sausage back in. Stir everything gently so it’s well combined and evenly coated.

Step 8: Remove from heat, top with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 810
  • Sodium: 780
  • Protein: 38