Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe
This Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti combines tender, spicy chicken with a rich garlic mozzarella sauce, creating a comforting and flavorful pasta dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. The creamy sauce, enhanced with cream cheese and Parmesan, coats al dente spaghetti, delivering a perfect balance of heat and indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- 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 Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Season Chicken: While pasta cooks, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and thoroughly cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle flour over the butter and garlic mixture. Whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to form a smooth roux, cooking out the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in whole milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken the sauce.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in softened cream cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Finish Sauce: Add grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine all flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce. Simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavor and heat through.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta strands with the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the top of the pasta. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken spaghetti hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or additional Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor and color.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half or whole milk with evaporated milk.
- You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and reheat gently, adding a splash of milk if it thickens too much.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting quality.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.
Keywords: Cajun chicken spaghetti, creamy chicken pasta, garlic mozzarella sauce, easy Cajun pasta, spicy chicken spaghetti
