Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta features perfectly seasoned chicken breasts and linguine tossed in a rich, flavorful sauce made from heavy cream, parmesan, diced tomatoes, and a blend of Cajun spices. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make meal with bold Southern-inspired flavors that come together in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine pasta
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp cajun seasoning, divided (or added to taste depending on the brand)
Sauce
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2/3 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
To Serve
- 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta, cover, and keep warm.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Season all over with 1½ Tbsp Cajun seasoning.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large non-reactive skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken breasts and sear on both sides until golden. Reduce heat to low and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, slice into thin strips, and cover to keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the heavy whipping cream, sprinkle in the remaining Cajun seasoning to taste, and stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the sliced chicken and cooked linguine to the sauce. Toss everything together until well coated and heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved warm pasta water to loosen it.
- Serve: Dish out the creamy Cajun chicken pasta and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Avoid using cast iron or copper pans when making creamy sauces with acidic ingredients like tomatoes, as they can cause the sauce to become grainy.
- If your Cajun seasoning blend is high in salt, start with half the recommended amount and add more gradually to taste.
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Cajun chicken recipe, creamy pasta, easy chicken pasta, linguine with Cajun sauce, comfort food, creamy Cajun sauce
Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-pasta-recipe/