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A top-down view of a skillet filled with spicy chicken mac and cheese, showing the creamy cheese sauce coating the pasta and chicken pieces.
FL Recipes

Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Creamy & Spicy Recipe

This Cajun Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food! Tender chicken and smoky sausage are tossed with pasta in a rich, spicy, and incredibly creamy three-cheese sauce. An easy, restaurant-quality meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 850

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz Andouille sausage sliced
  • 16 oz Cavatappi pasta or other short pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning divided
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth plus more if needed
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 oz Gruyère cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 oz cream cheese cubed and softened

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente in a large pot of salted water. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside. Add sliced sausage to the same skillet and cook until browned. Set aside with the chicken.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Bring to a simmer until thickened. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the softened cream cheese until melted. Add shredded cheddar and Gruyère in batches, stirring until smooth. Stir in chicken broth and the remaining 1 tbsp of Cajun seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Add the drained pasta, cooked chicken, and sausage to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine until everything is well-coated. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 850kcalProtein: 40gFat: 55gFiber: 2g

Notes

Grate Your Own Cheese: This is the most important tip for a smooth, creamy sauce. Pre-shredded cheese has additives that can make the sauce grainy.
Control the Spice: Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your personal preference. You can always add more at the end!
Pasta Water is Key: Don't forget to reserve some pasta water. It's perfect for thinning the sauce to the right consistency if it gets too thick.
Keyword cajun chicken mac and cheese,creamy pasta recipe,spicy mac and cheese

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