Description
A bowl of creamy pasta featuring tender chicken, rich garlic mozzarella sauce, and a kick of Cajun spice for comforting weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for extra heat
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: While the spaghetti cooks, season your chicken pieces generously with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika.
- Sauté the chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Create a roux: Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Add liquids: Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate the cream and cheese: Add the cream cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Season the sauce: Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Add the cooked chicken back to the sauce and simmer for 2–3 minutes to heat through. Toss in the cooked spaghetti, ensuring everything is coated in the luscious sauce.
- Melt the remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella on top, cover the skillet, and let sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Serve: Enjoy your dish hot, garnished with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Consider substituting chicken with shrimp or plant-based protein. Use gluten-free pasta for dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Creamy Pasta, Cajun Chicken, Comfort Food, Weeknight Dinner, Easy Recipe