Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti
A comforting dish that combines tender chicken in a creamy sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and the perfect hint of spice, ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 15 ml olive oil
- 60 g grated Parmesan cheese (for crusting chicken)
- 1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.125 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
For the sauce and pasta
- 340 g spaghetti
- 360 ml heavy cream
- 180 ml low sodium chicken broth
- 110 g shredded mozzarella
- 110 g shredded sharp cheddar
- 75 g grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
- 57 g cream cheese, softened
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 56 g salted butter, divided (28 g for cooking, 28 g for flavor)
For garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather and measure all ingredients.
Pasta Cooking
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and drizzle with olive oil.
Chicken Preparation
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Press grated Parmesan cheese onto chicken slices to create a crust.
Cooking Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and half of the butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on each side for 4–6 minutes until golden brown. Add remaining butter and half the minced garlic during the last minute.
- Once cooked, transfer chicken to a plate.
Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and add the rest of minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add cream cheese, whisk until blended, and then stir in mozzarella, cheddar, and remaining Parmesan. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, dried basil, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
Combine and Serve
- Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce, mix well and let it rest over low heat for a minute.
- Plate spaghetti and top with the Parmesan-crusted chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
For customization, consider adding cooked spinach or mushrooms. Adjust according to dietary needs.