Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni

Ingredients

• 1 cup Rigatoni
• Salt (For boiling water)
• 0.5 cup Reserved pasta water
• 1 lb Boneless chicken breast
• Salt (To taste, for chicken)
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (For chicken; additional 1–2 tsp is used in the sauce)
• 1 tbsp Garlic powder (Listed for chicken; also included in the sauce seasoning without a separate amount)
• 1 tbsp Onion powder (Listed for chicken; also included in the sauce seasoning without a separate amount)
• 1 tsp Black pepper (For chicken)
• 1 tsp Red chili powder (For chicken)
• 2 tbsp Oil (For coating and cooking the chicken)
• 2 tbsp Butter (Add during the last 2 minutes of cooking the chicken)
• 2 tbsp Oil (For the sauce)
• 0.5 White onion (Finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Fresh garlic (Minced)
• 0.5 cup Bell peppers (Chopped)
• 1 cup Baby spinach
• 1 cup Unsweetened heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 0.333 cup Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated; for finishing)
• Salt (To taste, for sauce)
• 1 tsp Black pepper (For the sauce)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (For the sauce)
• 1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning (For the sauce; source gives a range of 1–2 tsp, adjusted to taste)
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (Chopped; for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Cook the rigatoni in salted water according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

2. 2

   Pat the chicken breast dry and flatten it. Season with salt, black pepper, red chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Drizzle with oil and mix until evenly coated.

3. 3

   Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chicken fillets and cook for 6 minutes per side.

4. 4

   Add the butter during the last 2 minutes of cooking the chicken, taking care not to overcook it.

5. 5

   Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside.

6. 6

   Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds.

7. 7

   Add the minced garlic and mix.

8. 8

   Add the chopped bell peppers and cook for 1 minute.

9. 9

   Pour in the heavy whipping cream.

10. 10

    Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.

11. 11

    Add the mozzarella cheese and stir it into the sauce.

12. 12

    Add the reserved pasta water and let the sauce thicken.

13. 13

    Add the baby spinach and mix until wilted.

14. 14

    Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat.

15. 15

    Slice the cooked chicken and place it on top of the rigatoni.

16. 16

    Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

The source mentions garlic powder and onion powder in the sauce seasoning but does not provide separate sauce quantities; the listed amounts are the quantities provided for the chicken. The source does not specify the chicken's final internal temperature or the exact time needed for the sauce to thicken.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• creamy
• Cajun
• stovetop