Description
Spicy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni in Creamy Mozzarella Alfredo is a bold and comforting pasta dish featuring juicy Cajun-spiced chicken, rigatoni pasta, and a rich mozzarella Alfredo sauce. This flavorful dinner recipe is perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or sharing with friends. Discover a creamy Cajun pasta dish that brings heat, richness, and cheesy satisfaction all in one skillet.
Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and coat them evenly with Cajun seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook rigatoni pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Pour in heavy cream and stir. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring until the sauce is smooth and melted.
7. Return the cooked chicken and drained rigatoni to the skillet. Toss everything to coat in the creamy sauce.
8. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin the sauce.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
This pasta is best served hot straight from the skillet.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra spice if desired.
Don’t skip the pasta water—it’s the secret to a silky sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 790
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 185mg