Description
Bold, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is the ultimate comfort food dinner. It brings together juicy Cajun-spiced chicken, perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta, and a rich garlic mozzarella cream sauce that clings to every bite. Whether you need a quick weeknight recipe, a cozy pasta idea, or something indulgent yet easy, this dish ticks all the boxes. It’s spicy, cheesy, and perfect for anyone craving bold dinner ideas, pasta recipes with a twist, or just a hearty, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter (divided)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and rest before slicing.
4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Mix until sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Toss the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, stirring to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Slice the rested chicken and place on top of the creamy rigatoni. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra heat, add red pepper flakes or use hot Cajun seasoning.
Try it with penne or fettuccine if you don’t have rigatoni on hand.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, Cajun chicken, chicken pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner