If you love bold flavors wrapped in a luscious, comforting sauce, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe. It’s a fulfilling dish that combines perfectly seasoned chicken with a rich, garlicky cheese sauce that hugs every rigatoni tube, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that dance on your palate. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself after a long day, this recipe delivers that satisfying homemade meal feeling with ease and a touch of elegance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role—from the smoky heat of the Cajun seasoning to the creamy, melty mozzarella that makes the sauce irresistibly smooth. Let’s break down these simple but essential components that come together to create a dish bursting with color, texture, and flavor.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The star protein, perfectly tender and juicy after seasoning and searing.
- Cajun seasoning: Adds that signature blend of spices and heat to give the chicken its kick.
- Olive oil: Ideal for a flavorful and healthy sear on the chicken.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps build a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Minced garlic cloves: Infuses the sauce with a fragrant, savory depth that’s simply irresistible.
- Heavy cream: The key to making the sauce decadently creamy and smooth.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Gives the sauce a gooey, stretchy texture that everyone loves.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a tangy, nutty flavor that perfectly balances the creaminess.
- Chicken broth: Enhances the sauce’s savory notes and helps deglaze the pan for extra flavor.
- Rigatoni pasta: The perfect sturdy pasta that holds the sauce beautifully in its ridges and tubes.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Freshness and a pop of color as the final touch.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Rigatoni
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. The salt seasons the pasta from within, enhancing every bite. Cook the rigatoni until it’s just al dente, meaning it still has a slight bite to it so it doesn’t get mushy when mixed with the sauce later. Don’t forget to save half a cup of the pasta water before draining, as it will be perfect for loosening the sauce.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Generously season your chicken breasts with the Cajun seasoning to ensure every bite packs flavorful heat. Don’t be shy here—the seasoning is what makes the chicken sing in this dish!
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The combination gives you a beautiful sear and adds richness. Once hot, sear the chicken for about 4 to 5 minutes per side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan, let it rest for a few minutes (this keeps the juices locked in), then slice it up.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Using the same skillet, add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Cook the garlic for about a minute until fragrant and golden, but not burnt. This step is where flavor really starts to deepen.
Step 5: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up all those caramelized bits stuck to the pan—they add unmatched richness. Then add the heavy cream and bring everything to a gentle simmer. This slow heat melds all the flavors together beautifully.
Step 6: Add the Cheeses
Slowly stir in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until the sauce is silky and smooth. The mozzarella melts into a creamy velvet texture while the Parmesan adds that perfect bite of sharpness and depth.
Step 7: Combine Pasta and Chicken
Add the cooked rigatoni and a splash of the reserved pasta water to the sauce to loosen it up if needed; this keeps the sauce luscious and perfectly coats every rigatoni piece. Return the sliced chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over everything, and let it warm through for a couple of minutes so all the flavors marry.
How to Serve Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Finishing your dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley is not only visually inviting but also plays a refreshing role to cut through the richness of the sauce. If you like, add a little extra grated Parmesan on top for that irresistible cheesy kick.
Side Dishes
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette or some buttery roasted vegetables. The freshness and lightness of these sides balance the creamy pasta perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the rigatoni in individual shallow bowls and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens for a fancy dinner feel that’s sure to impress. Or try serving alongside some crusty, warm garlic bread to mop up every last bit of that luscious garlic mozzarella sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though rare!), transfer them to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The dish will keep well for up to 3 days, allowing those rich flavors to deepen even further.
Freezing
Freezing this Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe is possible but not ideal because the creamy sauce may separate on thawing. If you do freeze it, use a freezer-safe container and consume within 1 month for the best taste and texture.
Reheating
When reheating, do so gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creaminess and prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or grainy. Stir well to bring it back to its comforting silky self.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While rigatoni works beautifully because its tubes hold the sauce so well, you can substitute with penne, ziti, or even fusilli if that’s what you have on hand.
How spicy is the Cajun seasoning in this recipe?
The Cajun seasoning provides a moderate kick that’s flavorful without being overwhelming. You can always adjust the amount to suit your heat tolerance or pick a milder seasoning blend if you prefer.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely! You can swap the chicken for hearty sautéed mushrooms or spiced tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it just as flavorful and creamy.
What’s the best way to get the chicken perfectly cooked?
Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the chicken, and avoid overcrowding the pan. Cooking the chicken for about 4–5 minutes per side ensures a golden crust while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Can I use low-fat dairy instead of heavy cream?
Heavy cream is key to achieving that luxuriously creamy texture in this recipe, so while you can use lighter versions, expect the sauce to be less rich and velvety. Full-fat options always yield the best results for this dish.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a weeknight dinner recipe that feels indulgent yet comes together quickly, this Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe will become your new favorite. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table with smiles, invites seconds, and leaves you dreaming about leftovers. So grab your skillet, get your pasta boiling, and enjoy the delicious comfort of this incredible meal!
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is a delightful Italian-American dish combining tender Cajun-spiced chicken with al dente rigatoni pasta, all enveloped in a rich, garlicky cream sauce loaded with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish offers a flavorful blend of spicy, creamy, and cheesy elements that satisfy both comfort food cravings and gourmet tastes.
Ingredients
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Pasta & Garnish
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the rigatoni and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Generously season both sides of the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, ensuring full coverage for optimal flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest before slicing into strips.
- Prepare Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant but not burnt.
- Deglaze & Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This adds depth to the sauce. Then, add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni back into the skillet with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly.
- Add Chicken & Heat Through: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and pasta, heating everything together for another 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Cajun chicken rigatoni hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Fresh parsley can be replaced with basil or chives for a different herbal note.
- Use gluten-free rigatoni to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
