Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Butter Sauce is a sumptuous dish that combines the bold flavors of Cajun spices with a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, this recipe features tender chicken coated in a velvety cheese sauce that clings beautifully to rigatoni. The combination of garlic butter and melted cheeses creates an irresistible taste experience that will leave everyone wanting more. Easy to prepare and highly customizable, this dish not only impresses but also satisfies even the pickiest eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Chopped parsley or dried herbs, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter; sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Add half of the minced garlic and another tablespoon of butter. Stir in half a cup of Velveeta cheese until it melts over the hot chicken.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter; sauté remaining minced garlic briefly before adding heavy cream and chicken broth. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in remaining Velveeta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until thickened.
- Add drained rigatoni to sauce; gently toss to coat each piece evenly. If sauce is too thick, loosen it with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Plate creamy garlic butter rigatoni on one side with Cajun Velveeta-coated chicken on the other. Finish with chopped parsley or dried herbs for garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 130mg