Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into strips
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente (10-12 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Sear seasoned chicken until golden-brown and cooked through (6-8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Stir in heavy cream and milk until warm; add cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
- Mix in Parmesan, mozzarella, and Velveeta until melted; adjust sauce consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Combine rigatoni with sauce; add chicken back or serve on top.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 46g
- Saturated Fat: 27g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: For added depth of flavor, consider incorporating sautéed vegetables like bell peppers or spinach. Adjust the spice level by increasing Cajun seasoning or adding diced jalapeños.