Cajun Chicken Rigatoni
A rich and spicy Cajun-inspired pasta dish featuring juicy chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and tender rigatoni. This comforting meal is ready in about 30 minutes and packs big flavor with minimal effort.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet
- Mixing Spoon
- Chef Knife
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta or penne/ziti
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast diced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning adjust to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 bell pepper sliced, any color
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- hot sauce a few dashes, optional
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Step 2: Season diced chicken with Cajun seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, then add cooked pasta. Toss everything to coat evenly in sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
- Step 5: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Add hot sauce or optional veggies for extra flavor.
Notes
Make it spicier by adding cayenne or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Rigatoni holds the sauce well, but any short pasta will do in a pinch.
Nutrition
Calories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 38gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2.8mg