Description

Turn your dinner into a flavor-packed feast with this Spicy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni in Creamy Mozzarella Alfredo—the ultimate comfort food with a fiery twist. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken rests on a bed of perfectly al dente rigatoni coated in a silky mozzarella Alfredo sauce. It’s bold, creamy, and comes together in under an hour—making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners, easy recipe lovers, or anyone looking for hearty dinner ideas. Whether you’re cooking for guests or treating yourself, this is a dish that feels indulgent but comes together effortlessly. Perfect for fans of spicy pasta, creamy sauces, and food ideas that hit every craving at once.

Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 ounces rigatoni pasta

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic minced

1 cup heavy cream

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

½ cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let rest for 10–15 minutes.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove and let rest.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.

4. In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

5. Pour in the cream and simmer gently. Gradually stir in the mozzarella until melted and smooth.

6. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce. Stir to coat, and use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

7. Slice the rested chicken into strips. Serve over or alongside the pasta. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Notes

For smooth sauce, always shred your mozzarella fresh—pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt well.

Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.

Use a thermometer to ensure chicken hits 165°F without overcooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun-Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 725
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 42g
Cholesterol: 135mg

Keywords: spicy pasta, Cajun chicken, creamy Alfredo, dinner ideas, easy recipe