Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Easy Creamy Cajun Chicken Spaghetti is a flavorful and comforting one-pan pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces seasoned with Cajun spices, cooked in a creamy garlic sauce with cream cheese and a hint of smoked paprika. This hearty recipe brings a perfect balance of spice and creaminess to your dinner table, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken breast pieces with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Spaghetti: In a large pot, cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and garlic mixture, stirring constantly to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth, continuing to stir to avoid lumps. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Add Cream Cheese and Combine: Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix to coat with the creamy sauce.
- Toss with Spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the creamy chicken sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated and heated through.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute the whole milk with half-and-half for a richer sauce or use a dairy-free alternative to make it lactose-free.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to your preferred spice level.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk if the sauce thickens too much.
Keywords: Cajun chicken spaghetti, creamy chicken pasta, spicy chicken pasta recipe, one-pan pasta dish, comfort food chicken recipe
