Description
Looking for a quick dinner idea that brings bold flavor and creamy comfort to your plate? This Savory Cajun Chicken and Creamy Garlic Parmesan Linguine is a knockout combination of spicy, juicy chicken and a silky, garlicky parmesan sauce coating tender linguine. It’s one of those easy recipes you’ll come back to again and again — rich enough to impress guests, simple enough for a weeknight dinner, and packed with everything you love in comfort food. If you’ve been browsing for food ideas, easy dinners, or pasta dishes with chicken, this one checks every box.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
12 oz linguine pasta
1 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp chopped parsley for garnish
2 tbsp Cajun butter (melted butter + Cajun spice + herbs)
Instructions
1. Place chicken chunks in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
3. In a hot skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove from heat and keep warm.
4. In a separate pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in parmesan, Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and pepper.
5. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
6. Plate the creamy linguine and top with Cajun chicken. Drizzle with Cajun butter and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest, richest sauce texture.
Don’t skip the resting time after cooking the chicken — it locks in the juices.
Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without watering it down.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Cajun Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
Keywords: easy dinner, chicken pasta, creamy garlic linguine, spicy pasta, quick meal