Description
Savory Cajun chicken paired with silky, creamy Parmesan linguine—bold, comforting, and perfect for cozy family dinners or impressive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust for spice level)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 oz linguine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook linguine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove and let rest.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently to thicken, stirring often.
- Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional nutmeg.
- Add cooked linguine and reserved pasta water, tossing to coat evenly.
- Slice Cajun chicken and serve over creamy linguine.
- Garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and lemon wedges.
Notes
Swap chicken for Cajun shrimp, tofu, or mushrooms for variation. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: cajun chicken, creamy linguine, parmesan sauce, pasta dinner, easy weeknight meal