Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of Creamy Rigatoni Alfredo with Cajun Chicken Strips. This dish transforms a classic pasta favorite into a zesty delight, perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in. The rich Alfredo sauce envelops tender rigatoni and spicy Cajun chicken, creating a satisfying meal that balances comfort with flavor. Quick to prepare in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for special occasions. Customize it with your favorite cheeses or vegetables to make it uniquely yours!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Chopped parsley or dried herbs, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken strips with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil and half the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken until golden brown (5-7 minutes), adding garlic and remaining butter during the last minute. Remove and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining butter, sauté garlic briefly, then stir in heavy cream and broth. Simmer gently.
- Whisk in cream cheese until smooth, then add Velveeta, mozzarella, and Parmesan until thickened.
- Toss cooked rigatoni with sauce, adjusting consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Serve plated with chicken on the side, garnished with parsley.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 145mg