Description
Spicy and rich creamy Cajun chicken pasta delivers bold Southern flavors with hearty comfort. Saucy noodles combine zesty seasonings and tender chicken for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 8 oz (226 g) linguine pasta
- 1.5–2 tbsps cajun seasoning
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ⅔ cup tomatoes, diced
- 2 tbsps parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and keep warm.
- Chicken Seasoning: Flatten chicken breasts and thoroughly coat with cajun seasoning, ensuring even coverage.
- Chicken Cooking: Sear seasoned chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Slice into thin strips and set aside, keeping warm.
- Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, sauté garlic in butter, then add tomatoes. Pour in heavy cream, sprinkle additional cajun seasoning, and incorporate parmesan cheese. Simmer sauce, adjusting flavors as needed.
- Final Assembly: Combine chicken and pasta in the creamy sauce, tossing to ensure complete coating. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Plating: Serve pasta topped with extra parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Chicken Thickness Matters: Flatten chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Seasoning Tip: Apply cajun seasoning generously and thoroughly to develop deep, robust flavor throughout the chicken.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and enhance overall creaminess.
- Temperature Control: Monitor skillet heat carefully when searing chicken and simmering sauce to prevent burning and maintain optimal flavor development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg