Description
Get ready to take your taste buds on a flavor-packed adventure with this mouthwatering Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta! Tender chicken simmered in a rich and creamy cajun-spiced sauce, tossed with al dente rigatoni and smothered in a decadent garlic cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a cup of the starchy cooking water for later.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken pieces with the Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika until evenly coated. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then, add the butter and flour, whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a golden-brown roux.
4. Slowly whisk in the milk, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add the cooked chicken and the reserved pasta back to the skillet, tossing everything together until well combined. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
6. Garnish the Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serve hot, ready to delight your taste buds with every bite!
Notes
While rigatoni is the pasta of choice for this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe, you can certainly experiment with other shapes and sizes. Penne, fusilli, or even cavatappi would all work well.
The key to perfectly cooked chicken in this dish is to sear it over medium-high heat until it’s nicely browned on the outside, but still juicy and tender on the inside.
Cajun seasoning can vary in its level of heat, so feel free to adjust the amount to suit your personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 100