Description
Craving something bold and comforting? This **Spicy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Velveeta Garlic Cream Sauce** is the ultimate fusion of creamy, cheesy richness with a Cajun kick. Tender seared chicken breast is seasoned with smoky spices, then tossed into velvety Velveeta garlic cream sauce and rigatoni that soaks up every drop. Whether you’re after **easy dinner ideas**, a **quick pasta recipe**, or **comfort food with a spicy twist**, this one checks every box. It’s fast enough for busy nights and satisfying enough for cozy weekends.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz Velveeta cheese cubed
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped parsley fresh or dried
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry and toss with Cajun seasoning, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a low simmer. Add Velveeta and stir until completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Add rigatoni to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
7. Return chicken to the pan or plate it on top. Garnish with parsley and black pepper.
8. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor — jarred garlic can dull the sauce.
Don’t skip reserving pasta water — it helps adjust the sauce texture.
For extra creaminess, double the sauce ingredients and save leftovers for dipping garlic bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: spicy pasta, creamy rigatoni, Velveeta recipes, cajun chicken, quick dinner, comfort food, easy pasta recipe