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Spicy Cajun Chicken served with garlic parmesan linguine on a plate.

Spicy Cajun Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Linguine

This dish features bold Cajun chicken and a rich garlic Parmesan sauce, creating a flavorful and filling pasta that anyone can make.
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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: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Ingredients
  • 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • to taste Salt & black pepper
Pasta Details
  • 12 oz linguine pasta
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) For extra heat
  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water To adjust sauce thickness
Garnishes
  • to taste Fresh parsley (optional) For garnish
  • to taste Extra Parmesan (optional) For garnish
  • to taste Lemon wedges (optional) For garnish

Method
 

Cooking Linguine
  1. Boil salted water and cook linguine until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Cooking Cajun Chicken
  1. Pat chicken dry, then season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken strips 3–4 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Making Garlic Parmesan Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  2. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Simmer 2–3 minutes, then stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  3. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
Combining Pasta and Chicken
  1. Toss linguine in the sauce until evenly coated. Add Cajun chicken on top or fold it in gently.
Serving
  1. Plate the pasta and sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and a wedge of lemon if desired.

Notes

For optimal results, pat the chicken dry to achieve good browning. Use fresh grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor. Reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Add cream over medium heat to avoid curdling. Add additional salt only after tasting, since Parmesan and broth add saltiness.