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Creamy Cajun Chicken Linguine

creamy cajun chicken linguine - featured image

A quick and easy one pot creamy Cajun chicken linguine with garlic Parmesan sauce, perfect for a flavorful and comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth, low sodium
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 8 oz (225 g) linguine pasta, uncooked
  • 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips, mince the garlic, and grate the Parmesan cheese.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Add the chicken strips and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and slightly browned.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir gently, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add the uncooked linguine, breaking strands in half if needed to fit. Submerge pasta in the liquid and push down gently with a spoon.
  7. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender but al dente.
  8. Remove lid and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Turn off heat and let linguine rest for a couple of minutes to thicken. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. If too thin, cook uncovered a few extra minutes to reduce. Use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Avoid overcrowding pan when browning chicken to get a good sear. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Linguine can be swapped with fettuccine or penne. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat gently with added liquid.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken linguine, creamy pasta, one pot pasta, garlic Parmesan sauce, easy weeknight dinner, Cajun seasoning, comfort food