Description
A comforting dish combining rigatoni, juicy chicken, and a creamy Cajun cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the rigatoni until tender but with a slight bite, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Season the cut chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture, stirring well and cooking for about one minute.
- Gradually pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the softened cream cheese, provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until melted into a thick sauce.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and add the rigatoni. Toss to coat, cooking on low for a couple of minutes.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and adheres to the pasta.
- Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, consider substituting chicken with vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Cajun, Chicken, Pasta, Comfortable, Family-Friendly