Description
Creamy Cajun chicken pasta brings bold Louisiana flavors to your dinner table. Spicy, rich sauce coats tender chicken and perfectly al dente pasta, delivering a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Starches:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) linguine pasta
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1.5 to 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning, divided
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Dairy and Cream Components:
- 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
Produce:
- ⅔ cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook linguine until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining, then cover to preserve warmth.
- Flatten chicken breasts to ensure uniform cooking. Generously coat with cajun seasoning across all surfaces.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully place seasoned chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides. Reduce heat and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into delicate strips, then tent with foil to retain heat.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Sauté briefly until aromatic. Incorporate diced tomatoes and cook for an additional moment. Stream in heavy cream, sprinkle remaining cajun seasoning, and fold in parmesan cheese. Gently simmer the sauce, tasting and adjusting seasonings as needed.
- Merge sliced chicken and cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring every strand is luxuriously coated. If the sauce appears too dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve a silky consistency.
- Plate the pasta, garnishing with freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F to prevent foodborne illness and guarantee tender, juicy meat.
- Reserve pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silky, perfectly textured sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Pound chicken breasts evenly to promote uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Sauté garlic briefly to release its aromatic flavors without burning, which can create a bitter taste.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually, creating a personalized creamy texture that suits your preference.
- Layer flavors by using the same skillet for chicken and sauce, capturing delicious browned bits for enhanced depth and richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 740
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg