Description

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, tossed in a rich and creamy sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Served over perfectly cooked linguine and garnished with fresh parsley, this pasta combines the bold zest of Cajun seasoning with a luscious, cheesy finish for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz linguine pasta

Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 to 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, divided

Sauce

2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (for serving)
Additional Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve some pasta water before draining the pasta.
Prepare the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken breasts until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from the skillet and slice thinly.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine flavors. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream and stir well.
Season and thicken sauce: Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning (about 1/2 tablespoon) and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens slightly, stirring frequently. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Combine pasta and chicken: Add the sliced chicken and cooked linguine pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Toss everything together over low heat until the pasta is well coated and heated through.
Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun chicken pasta and garnish with finely chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
Reserving pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and make it silkier for coating the pasta.
Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives a better flavor and texture.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream, but the sauce won’t be as rich.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.