Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy flavors of Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Sauce. This delightful dish combines tender chicken, robust Cajun spices, and a velvety cheese sauce that envelops each piece of rigatoni. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this easy-to-make recipe is both satisfying and impressive. In just 30-35 minutes, you can enjoy a comforting meal that will tantalize your taste buds and leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups Velveeta cheese (cubed and shredded)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Cajun seasoning
- smoked paprika
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. In a skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter over medium-high heat; add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add half the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking; stir in Velveeta cheese until melted.
- Remove chicken; melt remaining butter in the skillet, adding the rest of the garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth; whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in remaining cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Toss cooked rigatoni with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if necessary for desired consistency.
- Serve with Cajun chicken on top, garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 679
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 130mg