Description
Spicy Cajun Chicken Linguine in Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce is a comforting, bold-flavored pasta dish featuring seared Cajun-spiced chicken over silky linguine tossed in a rich, garlicky, cheesy sauce. The perfect blend of heat, cream, and umami, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cajun Chicken:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded evenly)
- 1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
For the Linguine and Sauce:
- 10 oz linguine pasta
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp cream cheese
- ½ tsp Cajun seasoning (to taste)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Mix Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub over chicken.
- Heat oil in a skillet and sear chicken for 5–6 mins per side until cooked through and blackened. Rest and slice.
- Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add cream and bring to a low simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan, cream cheese, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add linguine to sauce and toss well. Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin.
- Plate pasta, top with sliced chicken, and garnish with parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes