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Garlic Cajun Chicken Linguine in Creamy Mozzarella Sauce

This dish brings bold Cajun spice, garlic, and a rich mozzarella cream sauce together for a warm, creamy pasta with tender chicken, perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips Dry the chicken well for better browning.
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning Adjust for spice preference.
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • to taste Salt & black pepper
For the Pasta
  • 12 oz linguine pasta Can substitute with other pasta types.
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella Can use part-skim to cut fat.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes Optional for heat.
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water Use if needed to loosen sauce.
  • A sprinkle Cajun seasoning for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
  2. Pat chicken dry and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken strips 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Cooking
  1. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  2. Pour in heavy cream and stir in cream cheese until smooth.
  3. Add mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring until creamy. Sprinkle in red pepper flakes and adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Toss linguine in the creamy sauce until fully coated. Return chicken strips to the skillet, folding them gently into the pasta.
  5. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
Serving
  1. Plate pasta with Cajun chicken on top. Sprinkle with parsley, extra Parmesan, and a dash of Cajun seasoning.

Notes

Cool the pasta to room temperature within two hours. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on low heat in a pan, adding a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. You can freeze the cooked dish for up to 2 months, but texture may change.
Dry the chicken well for browning, and taste sauce to adjust seasoning.