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Cajun chicken rigatoni

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.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

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

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Spoon
  • Chef Knife

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Add hot sauce or optional veggies for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 38gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 640mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 950IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2.8mg

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.

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