Get ready to dive into a flavor-packed delight with our Cajun Surf & Turf Pasta! This mouthwatering dish combines the best of land and sea, bringing together tender shrimp, juicy chicken, and perfectly cooked penne pasta in a creamy Cajun-infused sauce.
We kick up the taste with a special blend of spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne powder, giving the dish a delightful and slightly spicy kick. The creamy sauce, made with rich heavy cream and plenty of grated Parmesan cheese, adds a velvety finish that ties all the flavors together.
Preparing this incredible recipe is a breeze. While the pasta cooks to just the right amount of tenderness, we season the shrimp and chicken with our zesty Cajun spice blend and quickly cook them to perfection. Then, we create a luscious cream sauce by melting butter, infusing it with garlic, and adding the cream and Parmesan cheese for that irresistible smoothness.
Once everything is combined, every forkful of our Cajun Surf & Turf Pasta bursts with a delightful mix of flavors. It’s spicy, creamy, and downright satisfying. Whether you’re cooking it up for a special dinner or impressing your guests at a gathering, this dish is sure to be a hit.
So get ready to treat your taste buds to an incredible adventure with our Cajun-inspired pasta. It’s a dish that showcases the best of both land and sea, and it’s guaranteed to leave you craving for more!
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of salt (for water)
- 1 pound of pasta
- 1 pound of chicken
- 1 pound of raw shrimp
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of onion powder
- 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder (this is pretty spicy, maybe but back by 1/2 if you dont like spice)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 6 tablespoons of butter
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 5 ounces of grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt to a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Cook the pasta until it reaches al dente consistency. Before draining, reserve ½ to 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Mix all the spices together.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the shrimp with half of the seasoning and olive oil in a bowl. Toss to thoroughly coat the shrimp. Repeat the same process with the chicken in a separate bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Cook the chicken in the skillet until done, then transfer it to a plate.
- In the same pan, add another 1 tablespoon of butter and melt it. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until they are fully cooked. You may need to cook the shrimp in two batches to ensure there is enough space. Once the shrimp are cooked, transfer them to a plate.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet, along with the minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat. Then, pour the heavy cream into the pan, scraping the bottom to release any food stuck to it. Allow the cream to bubble. Reduce the heat to low and stir in approximately 2 ounces of Parmesan cheese to melt, reserving the rest for topping the dish later.
- Add the cooked chicken and shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat them with the sauce. If the sauce needs to be thinned, add pasta water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.
Enjoy your flavorful Cajun Surf & Turf Pasta!
