Description
This Savory Cajun Chicken and Creamy Garlic Parmesan Linguine Bliss is a deliciously rich pasta dish featuring tender bite-sized Cajun-seasoned chicken pieces seared to perfection. Tossed in a luscious garlic-infused cream sauce with freshly grated Parmesan and served over perfectly al dente linguine, this recipe offers a perfect blend of spicy, creamy, and cheesy flavors with a fresh parsley finish, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (for searing chicken)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Pasta
- 8 ounces Linguine pasta
- Salt, for pasta water
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and season them generously with Cajun seasoning to ensure each piece is well-coated with flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the linguine: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
- Make the sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream while stirring, then allow it to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Toss the drained linguine in the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding a little of the reserved pasta water until desired thickness is reached.
- Finish with chicken and seasoning: Add the seared Cajun chicken back to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Mix gently and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun chicken linguine and garnish generously with chopped parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and smooth sauce texture.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a less rich sauce.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
