Description
Enjoy a rich and flavorful One-Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Linguine that’s perfect for a quick and indulgent dinner. Tender chicken pieces are seasoned with bold Cajun spices, then cooked with linguine in a luscious creamy sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, mozzarella, and parmesan, all combined in a single pot for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound Chicken Breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on spice tolerance)
- 4 cloves Garlic, freshly minced
Pasta and Liquids
- 8 ounces Linguine
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
Cheeses
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Fats and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1/4 cup Parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces seasoned with Cajun seasoning and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Add the linguine directly to the pot, pushing it down as much as possible to submerge it in the broth.
- Cook Pasta: Cover the pot and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheeses have melted into a creamy sauce.
- Reintroduce Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir well to combine with the creamy pasta. Heat through for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot for the best flavorful experience.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your spice tolerance for a milder or spicier dish.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
