Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is a rich and savory pasta dinner featuring spicy Cajun-seared chicken over tender rigatoni coated in a velvety mozzarella cream sauce infused with garlic. It’s the perfect balance of bold heat and creamy comfort.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
10 ounces rigatoni pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning. Let rest at room temperature.
2. Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sear chicken breasts 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in heavy cream. Bring to a simmer, then add shredded mozzarella and stir until smooth. Loosen with pasta water if needed.
6. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
7. Slice chicken and place over pasta.
8. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in Cajun seasoning with a drizzle of olive oil for 30 minutes before cooking.
Don’t overcook the cheese sauce—once the mozzarella melts, reduce heat to low to prevent clumping.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce thickens too much while combining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: cajun chicken rigatoni, creamy cajun pasta, mozzarella garlic sauce