🔥 Cajun Chicken & Creamy Parmesan Linguine
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🧑🍳 Cook Time: 25 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4
✅ Ingredients:
For the Cajun Chicken:
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin or pounded)
1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
For the Creamy Parmesan Linguine:
12 oz linguine pasta
2 tablespoons butter
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional: ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Reserved pasta water (as needed to loosen sauce)
🔥 Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook linguine until al dente according to package instructions.
Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Cook the Cajun Chicken:
Season chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove chicken from the skillet and let rest for a few minutes. Then slice into strips.
3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil).
Add Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water to loosen.
4. Combine and Serve:
Toss the cooked linguine in the creamy Parmesan sauce until well coated.
Serve pasta topped with sliced Cajun chicken.
Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
🍴 Optional Add-ins:
Sautéed spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for added depth.
A squeeze of lemon over the finished dish for brightness.
