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–+ servings
Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Discover the creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy delight of Cajun Chicken Pasta. Perfect for any special occasion!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 750
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 6 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, optional

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring
  • Colander for draining pasta

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add rigatoni, and cook until al dente; reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Season chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper; cook in a large skillet with olive oil and 1 tbsp butter for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through; transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  3. In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, stir in Velveeta until melted, then add mozzarella and Parmesan; adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
  5. Toss the cooked rigatoni in the skillet with the creamy sauce until well coated.
  6. Serve topped with warm Cajun chicken and garnish with chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 750kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 40gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 600mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For a little extra heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. Substitute chicken with shrimp or sausage for variety, and feel free to use different types of pasta like penne or fusilli. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to keep the sauce creamy. Enjoy!
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