Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe
A deliciously creamy Cajun chicken spaghetti recipe featuring tender, seasoned chicken tossed in a rich garlic mozzarella sauce. This stovetop dish combines perfectly cooked spaghetti with a flavorful blend of spices, cream cheese, and melty mozzarella for an indulgent meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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 Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika for that flavorful kick.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture. Whisk constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to cook the flour and form a roux, which will help thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the whole milk and chicken broth while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Season Sauce: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of extra heat.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to fully coat the pasta in the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Melt Topping Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella on top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken spaghetti hot, garnished with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese if desired for an added touch of flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter option, substitute whole milk with 2% milk, but the sauce may be slightly less creamy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor impact.
- If you prefer, swap spaghetti for linguine or fettuccine for a different pasta texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Garlic Mozzarella Sauce, Easy Chicken Dinner, Spicy Chicken Pasta
