Description
Looking for a bold and comforting meal that comes together in under 40 minutes? This Savory Cajun Chicken and Creamy Garlic Parmesan Linguine is exactly what your dinner rotation needs. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken is seared to perfection and served over a bed of silky linguine tossed in a garlicky, cheesy cream sauce. It’s the ultimate blend of heat, richness, and soul-satisfying flavor. Perfect for easy dinners, quick weeknight meals, or a cozy date night in. If you’re searching for quick dinner ideas, creamy pasta recipes, or easy chicken dishes, this one covers it all.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces linguine
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
1. Pat chicken breasts dry and coat them generously with Cajun seasoning. Let rest at room temperature for 5–10 minutes.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest under foil.
4. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add butter and garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add Parmesan and stir until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the cooked linguine to the sauce and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
7. Slice rested chicken and serve over or mixed into the pasta.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor—it really makes a difference.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water—it helps your sauce coat the pasta beautifully.
You can prep the chicken ahead of time to save even more time on busy nights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion (Cajun–Italian)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, chicken linguine, Cajun chicken, quick dinner, comfort food, pasta recipe, food ideas