Description
This Indulgent Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Linguine in Garlic Cajun Butter combines tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts with a luscious, creamy sauce made from garlic, butter, heavy cream, and melted mozzarella. Tossed with perfectly cooked linguine and finished with Parmesan cheese, this dish offers a rich, flavorful Italian-American experience with a spicy Cajun twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pieces Chicken Breasts (skinless and boneless)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on spice tolerance)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic (fresh minced)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
- 1 cup Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Pasta
- 8 ounces Linguine Pasta (gluten-free alternatives can be used)
- 1 cup Reserved Pasta Water (to adjust sauce consistency)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat the chicken breasts dry. Season them generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest to retain juices.
- Cook Linguine: In a pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Melt the unsalted butter, then add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
- Add Cream and Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Mozzarella: Gradually add shredded mozzarella cheese into the skillet, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes silky and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the drained linguine into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water bit by bit to adjust the sauce consistency to your desired thickness.
- Slice and Add Chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts. Serve the sliced chicken on top of or mixed into the creamy mozzarella linguine.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for extra flavor and color. Serve the dish hot and enjoy your indulgent meal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- To make the dish lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream option.
- Using low-moisture mozzarella ensures a smooth, creamy melt without excess wateriness.
- Reserve pasta water is crucial for achieving perfect sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free linguine pasta.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking helps retain its juices and enhances flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Mozzarella chicken linguine, creamy pasta, Cajun chicken recipe, garlic butter sauce, easy dinner, skillet chicken pasta
