Description
Spicy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Velveeta Garlic Cream Sauce is a bold, creamy pasta dish that brings serious comfort to the table. Perfect for busy nights or weekend indulgence, it combines Cajun-seasoned chicken with tender rigatoni, all tossed in a rich, garlicky Velveeta cheese sauce. This easy dinner recipe is ready in about 30 minutes, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort. It’s ideal for quick dinner ideas, spicy pasta lovers, or anyone who’s after bold food ideas that feel restaurant-worthy but are made at home. Whether you’re after a hearty family meal or an impressive date-night dish, this one brings the heat and the comfort.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
12 oz rigatoni pasta
8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 cup heavy cream
1 bulb roasted garlic (or 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic (roasted or fresh). Sauté until fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a light simmer. Add Velveeta cubes and stir until smooth and melted.
6. Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet or serve on top of the pasta.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning. Serve hot.
Notes
If using fresh garlic, sauté it gently in butter to avoid burning—it cooks fast.
To make it extra creamy, don’t skip the pasta water—it helps the sauce cling to every bite.
For more heat, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the cream sauce before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: spicy pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Cajun recipe, Velveeta pasta, easy dinner, quick comfort food