Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is a rich and flavorful pasta dish that combines tender Cajun-seasoned chicken with a velvety garlic cream sauce loaded with melty mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s a comforting, spicy, and irresistibly cheesy meal perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
Sauce
- 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 Pasta: Cook spaghetti according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the Chicken: While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika evenly on all sides.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Roux: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to create a roux without lumps.
- Make the Sauce: Gradually whisk in whole milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to combine and avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in softened cream cheese and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, whisking until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Then add grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes to taste.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce and let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each strand of pasta in the creamy Cajun garlic mozzarella sauce.
- Finish with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta, cover the skillet, and let sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken spaghetti hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken to reduce preparation time.
- Substitute spaghetti with other pasta shapes like fettuccine, linguine, or penne for variety.
- Adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- This dish makes excellent leftovers; store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently to preserve creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
