Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti with Mozzarella Sauce is a deliciously rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts served over linguine in a creamy, garlicky mozzarella and Parmesan sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and basil for a burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Pasta
- 1 pound linguine pasta
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and evenly coat both sides with Cajun seasoning to infuse bold Southern flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 5–7 minutes per side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken and cover with foil to rest.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine until al dente, as per package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta well.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and stir, then add 1 cup of the heavy cream. Allow the mixture to simmer gently on low heat for 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Cheese and Season: Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, slowly add the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every strand with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Slice the rested Cajun chicken breasts and arrange them over the coated linguine. Garnish generously with fresh parsley, basil, and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.
Notes
- For extra heat, sprinkle additional Cajun seasoning on the pasta or chicken before serving.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps in thinning the sauce without losing flavor.
- Use fresh garlic and fresh herbs to maximize the aromatic impact in the dish.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Feel free to substitute linguine with fettuccine or spaghetti based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing, Boiling, Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy chicken spaghetti, Cajun linguine, mozzarella sauce pasta, Southern style pasta dish
