Description

Turn any dinner into a Cajun-style celebration with this bold and creamy Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni in Cheesy Alfredo Sauce. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners, casual guests, or meal prepping. With its buttery garlic chicken, perfectly cooked rigatoni, and a velvety Cajun Alfredo sauce, this easy recipe hits all the right notes—comforting, spicy, cheesy, and satisfying. Great for fans of quick dinner ideas, hearty food recipes, and creamy pasta dishes with a kick.

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast, cut into chunks

10 oz rigatoni pasta

3 tbsp butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp olive oil

1.5 cups heavy cream

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain.

2. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant.

5. Reduce heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.

6. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add more Cajun seasoning if desired.

7. Return chicken to the skillet and add cooked rigatoni. Toss everything to coat evenly.

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

9. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan before serving.

10. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Let the Alfredo sauce simmer on low heat to avoid curdling the cream.

For extra smoky flavor, use blackened Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of smoked paprika.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 650
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 140mg