Creamy Cajun Chicken Linguine (Printable Version)

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon pepper
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder

→ Pasta

09 - 1 pound linguine pasta

→ Sauce

10 - 4 tablespoons butter
11 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
13 - 3 cups whole milk
14 - 1 cup chicken broth
15 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
17 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
19 - Red pepper flakes (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
02 - Cook the linguine according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
05 - Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
06 - Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
07 - Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes, if desired.
08 - Add the cooked linguine and cooked chicken to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
09 - Transfer the pasta to a serving dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For extra spice, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes.