Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti in a Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce. This dish is a perfect blend of savory chicken with a creamy, cheesy sauce that has just the right amount of Cajun kick.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan (for crusting the chicken)
For the Sauce:
- 4 tbsp salted butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan (for sauce)
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
For Garnish:
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Boil water and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain, toss with olive oil, and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Press Parmesan onto chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Sear chicken in a skillet with olive oil and butter until golden. Add garlic and butter towards the end. Set chicken aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic, then add cream and broth. Stir in cheeses, cream cheese, and seasonings. Let simmer until thick.
- Combine and Serve: Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce, toss to coat. Plate spaghetti, top with chicken, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 780 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 54g
- Saturated Fat: 30g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 185mg