Creamy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni with Mozzarella & Parmesan
Creamy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni with Mozzarella & Parmesan is a mouthwatering dish that combines the bold flavors of Cajun seasoning with a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for any occasion, this hearty pasta meal comes together in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or special gatherings. The juicy chicken is seared to perfection and then enveloped in a velvety garlic butter sauce, topped off with melty mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan. With its enticing aroma and comforting texture, this dish is sure to be a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente (10-11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Season chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Sear the chicken until golden brown (7-8 minutes), adding half of the minced garlic towards the end.
- Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add both cheeses until melted into a smooth sauce, then mix in Italian seasoning.
- Toss cooked rigatoni with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
- Serve topped with seared chicken and garnish with parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg