Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
A comforting and creamy Cajun chicken pasta dish that combines wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 2 large chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Flavoring Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Boil water in a large pot, and once it reaches a rolling boil, add the rigatoni pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Preparing Sauce
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add minced garlic, and stir for about a minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Sprinkle in red pepper flakes and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Mix well.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping the skillet to include any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream until fully combined and slightly thickened.
- Gradually mix in Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
- Add drained rigatoni to the skillet, tossing gently until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Before serving, sprinkle fresh basil on top.
Notes
Stir the pasta into the sauce gently to avoid breaking it apart. If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up. Always taste the sauce before serving to adjust seasoning.