Description
A comforting and flavorful Cajun chicken spaghetti dish with a creamy garlic mozzarella sauce that is simple to make and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 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 in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken for about 6–8 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Melt butter in the same skillet, add minced garlic, and sauté for about a minute. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in cream cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until smooth, then add Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as desired.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and let it heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce until well coated. Top with remaining mozzarella, cover, and let sit for 2-3 minutes until melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For added flavor, consider using freshly grated Parmesan and reserving some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
