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Indulgent Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Linguine in Garlic Cajun Butter Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 478 reviews

Indulge in the rich and flavorful Creamy Mozzarella Chicken Linguine, featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts seared to perfection and served over linguine pasta tossed in a luscious garlic Cajun butter cream sauce with melted mozzarella and a hint of Parmesan. This comforting dish beautifully balances spicy, creamy, and cheesy elements for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 pieces Chicken Breasts (skinless and boneless)
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on spice tolerance)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt (be cautious, Cajun seasoning often contains salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground for better flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (can swap with vegetable oil)

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons Butter (unsalted preferred)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (fresh minced for best flavor)
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
  • 1 cup Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (smooth melting goodness)
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional for additional flavor)

Pasta

  • 8 ounces Linguine Pasta (gluten-free alternatives work as well)
  • 1 cup Reserved Pasta Water (for adjusting sauce consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to ensure even flavor distribution.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest to retain juices.
  3. Cook Linguine: In a pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente, roughly 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
  4. Prepare Sauce Base: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic to avoid bitterness.
  5. Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stir to combine, and let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, creating a rich base.
  6. Melt Cheese: Gradually add the shredded mozzarella cheese to the cream mixture, stirring constantly until fully melted and silky smooth.
  7. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained linguine into the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve the desired consistency.
  8. Slice Chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces.
  9. Combine and Serve: Serve the sliced chicken over or mixed into the creamy pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and optionally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
  10. Enjoy: Serve hot and enjoy this indulgent creamy mozzarella chicken linguine with garlic Cajun butter sauce.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred spice tolerance.
  • Use low-moisture mozzarella for the best melting and creamy consistency in the sauce.
  • To make the dish lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
  • Reserve pasta water is essential for adjusting the sauce’s thickness and helping it cling to the pasta.
  • Freshly minced garlic provides optimal flavor over pre-minced or powdered garlic.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute linguine with gluten-free pasta options.

Keywords: Creamy Mozzarella Chicken, Cajun Chicken Linguine, Garlic Butter Pasta, Mozzarella Pasta, Chicken Pasta Recipe

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/indulgent-creamy-mozzarella-chicken-linguine-in-garlic-cajun-butter-recipe/