Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Creamy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni with Mozzarella & Parmesan. This delightful dish combines tender chicken and al dente rigatoni enveloped in a luscious garlic butter sauce, enhanced by bold Cajun seasoning. Perfect for any occasion, this meal is quick to prepare, taking only 35 minutes from start to finish. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a relaxing night in, this pasta dish is sure to impress. With its cheesy goodness and customizable spice levels, you can easily adjust it to suit your taste. Serve it with warm garlic bread or a crisp salad for a well-rounded meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, (or more for bolder flavor)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, about 10-11 minutes.
- 3. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- 4. Season your chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- 5. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with the olive oil.
- 6. Add the seasoned chicken and sear for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown.
- 7. In the last minute of cooking, stir in half of the minced garlic for added flavor.
- 8. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- 9. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
- 10. Add the rest of the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 11. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Let it simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- 12. Add both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce.
- 13. Stir until smooth and creamy; it should coat the back of a spoon well.
- 14. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
- 15. Taste test your sauce; adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- 16. Toss in cooked rigatoni into the sauce gently to coat each piece evenly.
- 17. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen up the sauce.
- 18. Spoon cheesy rigatoni onto plates.
- 19. Top with seared Cajun chicken pieces.
- 20. Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize by adding vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition. Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of Cajun seasoning.