Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Linguine is a flavorful one-skillet dinner featuring tender golden-seared chicken tossed in a spicy garlic cream sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Ready in 30 minutes, this American Cajun-inspired pasta dish offers a rich and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use 1.5 tbsp for milder heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth, low-sodium preferred
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook linguine: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out 1/4 cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain and set pasta aside.
- Season chicken: Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until evenly coated on all sides.
- Sear chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer without crowding. Cook 5-7 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter to the same skillet. Once butter melts, add minced garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant and just golden, being careful not to brown.
- Make sauce: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan bottom. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if sauce needs loosening.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Return chicken to skillet. Add drained linguine and use tongs to toss everything together until pasta is evenly coated.
- Melt mozzarella: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 2-3 minutes until cheese is fully melted. Check at 2 minutes to prevent scorching.
- Garnish and serve: Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Taste your Cajun seasoning before cooking—some blends may be saltier than others. Adjust added salt accordingly.
- Do not let the cream sauce boil hard to prevent it from breaking; keep it at a gentle simmer.
- For a lighter dish, replace half the heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half.
- This dish is not recommended for freezing as the cream sauce may separate upon thawing. Store refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Linguine, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Garlic Mozzarella Sauce, One Skillet Dinner, Spicy Chicken Pasta, Quick Dinner Recipes, American Cajun Cuisine
