Description

Indulgent Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Linguine in Garlic Cajun Butter is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts served over linguine tossed in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce loaded with melted mozzarella and a hint of Parmesan. This comforting meal combines bold spices with smooth, cheesy goodness for a satisfying dinner perfect for spice lovers.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 pieces Chicken Breasts (skinless and boneless)
1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning (Adjust based on spice tolerance)
1/2 teaspoon Salt (Be cautious, Cajun seasoning often contains salt)
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for better flavor)
1 tablespoon Olive Oil (Can swap with vegetable oil)

Sauce

4 tablespoons Butter (Unsalted preferred)
3 cloves Garlic (Fresh minced for best flavor)
1 cup Heavy Cream (Or half-and-half for a lighter option)
1 cup Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (Smooth melting goodness)
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional for additional flavor)

Pasta

8 ounces Linguine Pasta (Gluten-free alternatives work as well)
1 cup Reserved Pasta Water (For adjusting sauce consistency)

Instructions

Preparation: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper to ensure maximum flavor infusion.
Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest to retain juices.
Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
Make Sauce Base: In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, to avoid bitterness.
Simmer Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stir, and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened to create a rich base for the sauce.
Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes silky smooth and creamy.
Toss Pasta: Add the drained linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta completely, adding reserved pasta water incrementally to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange on top of or mixed into the creamy linguine. Garnish with chopped parsley and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Adjust Cajun seasoning amount based on your preferred spice level.
Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best melting and creamy texture.
Reserve pasta water to help loosen and emulsify the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Resting the chicken after searing helps keep it juicy and tender.
Parmesan cheese garnish is optional but adds an extra layer of flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy chicken linguine, cajun chicken pasta, mozzarella pasta recipe, garlic butter sauce, creamy pasta dinner