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Garlic Cajun Chicken with Cheesy Mozzarella Linguine Recipe

Garlic Cajun Chicken with Cheesy Mozzarella Linguine Recipe

5 from 17 reviews

A delicious and comforting meal featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken paired with creamy, cheesy mozzarella linguine. This recipe combines bold flavors with a rich, smooth sauce, making it perfect for a satisfying dinner that’s easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cajun Chicken

  • 600 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste

For the Cheesy Mozzarella Linguine

  • 250 g linguine pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cooking cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Optional: chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Cook the linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Season the chicken: In a bowl, combine the sliced chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Prepare the sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add butter and minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Make it creamy: Pour in the cooking cream and allow it to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
  6. Add the cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce, mixing until melted and smooth.
  7. Toss linguine in sauce: Add the cooked linguine into the skillet with the cheesy sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Use the reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening to reach a silky consistency.
  8. Plate and garnish: Slice the cooked Cajun chicken and arrange it on top of the cheesy linguine. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and sprinkle chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice tolerance.
  • Use full-fat cooking cream for the creamiest sauce; light cream may not thicken as well.
  • Reserve pasta water is key to achieve the perfect sauce consistency without it being too thick or dry.
  • Freshly grated cheeses melt better and improve flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, cheesy linguine, mozzarella pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, Italian-American fusion