Description
A flavorful and hearty one-pot Cajun jambalaya featuring tender chicken, spicy sausage, and pasta all cooked together in a rich, seasoned tomato sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound smoked turkey sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 ounces penne pasta
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Add the sliced smoked turkey sausage to the pot and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine.
Return the browned chicken and sausage to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the penne pasta to the pot, stirring to submerge the pasta in the liquid.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes to thicken.
Serve garnished with sliced green onions and chopped fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes