Cajun Chicken and Garlic Parmesan Linguine Recipe
This flavorful Cajun Chicken and Garlic Parmesan Linguine combines perfectly seasoned, seared chicken breasts with a creamy garlic parmesan sauce tossed with linguine. A delicious and comforting dish with a hint of Cajun spice balanced by rich cream and cheese, garnished with fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 Chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Pasta
- 8 ounces Linguine
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup Reserved pasta water
- 1 teaspoon Salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pinch Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then evenly rub the Cajun seasoning over both sides of the chicken to ensure full flavor penetration.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through internally. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.
- Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cream and simmer: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained linguine to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every strand with the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
- Serve: Plate the coated linguine and top with the sliced Cajun chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- For more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the creamiest sauce and best flavor.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps retain juices and keeps it tender.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency and helps it cling to the pasta better.
- Serve immediately for best texture; the sauce thickens as it cools.
Keywords: Cajun chicken linguine, garlic parmesan pasta, creamy pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta dinner
