Creamy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni with Mozzarella & Parmesan
Indulge in a delightful culinary experience with Creamy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni with Mozzarella & Parmesan. This comforting dish combines succulent chicken pieces with rich, creamy sauce infused with zesty Cajun flavors, perfectly enveloping al dente rigatoni. The melty mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan create a cheesy allure that brings warmth to any gathering, making it perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in. With just 35 minutes of preparation and cooking time, this recipe is not only easy to make but also sure to impress your guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Searing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, or more for bolder flavor
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente (10-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 7-8 minutes until golden; add half of the minced garlic in the last minute.
- Remove chicken and keep warm. Lower heat and melt remaining butter; sauté remaining garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Add cheeses gradually until melted and creamy; season further with Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Toss rigatoni into the sauce; adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Serve topped with seared chicken and garnish with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 400g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg