Description
This one-pot creamy Cajun chicken linguine recipe features tender Cajun-seasoned chicken in a silky, garlicky mozzarella sauce. It’s a quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb linguine
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken strips dry and season them evenly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken strips and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the minced garlic, oregano, basil, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the linguine to the skillet, ensuring it is mostly submerged in the broth. Cover the skillet and cook according to pasta package directions, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded mozzarella cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the pasta and sauce.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
- Feel free to add sautéed onions or bell peppers with the garlic for extra flavor and vegetables.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a little more chicken broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Ensure your skillet is large enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg