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Blackened Chicken Bites in Smoky Parmesan Cream Rigatoni

Tender chicken thighs are coated in Cajun spices and seared until charred, then combined with silky smoky Parmesan cream sauce and perfectly cooked rigatoni. This restaurant-quality dish comes together in just 45 minutes with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor in every bite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 875

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Combine Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Toss chicken cubes until evenly coated. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add chicken in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip and sear the other side for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook rigatoni according to package directions until just al dente, about 1 minute before the package suggests. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
  3. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken stock and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium and pour in heavy cream. Stir in softened cream cheese and let melt for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, stirring until smooth and creamy.
  4. Return seared chicken to the skillet and stir gently to coat with sauce. Add cooked rigatoni and toss everything together over low heat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until it reaches desired consistency. Finish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 875kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 52gFat: 48gSodium: 920mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1g

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicy and don't dry out like breasts can. Reserve pasta water as it helps adjust the sauce to the perfect consistency. Don't skip the deglazing step with the stock to incorporate all the flavorful browned bits from the pan.

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