Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
This creamy and flavorful Chicken Spaghetti recipe features tender Cajun-seasoned chicken tossed with al dente spaghetti in a rich, cheesy sauce made from cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan. The sauce is perfectly balanced with a hint of smoked paprika and garlic, making it an irresistible comfort food perfect for family dinners or casual get-togethers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- 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 and set aside.
- Season Chicken: While pasta cooks, season chicken with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika evenly to infuse flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 6–8 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 1 minute until fragrant to develop the base flavor.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the flour into the butter and garlic and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to form a smooth roux which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken.
- Melt Cheeses: Add the cream cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, stirring until both are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, adjusting to taste.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer together for 2–3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to heat through.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy, cheesy sauce.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% or skim milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melt.
- This recipe can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- To make it gluten free, use gluten-free spaghetti and substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Keywords: Chicken Spaghetti, creamy chicken pasta, Cajun chicken pasta, easy dinner recipes, cheesy spaghetti, comfort food
Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/chicken-spaghetti-recipe/
