Description
Craving something bold, creamy, and spicy? This Spicy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Velveeta Garlic Cream Sauce is a quick dinner that brings all the comfort and heat you could want. It features tender Cajun-spiced chicken, perfectly cooked rigatoni, and a silky garlic cheese sauce made with melty Velveeta. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, easy pasta recipes, or a flavorful comfort food fix, this dish delivers. Great for a weeknight meal, weekend indulgence, or food ideas that leave leftovers everyone actually wants.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
2 cups cubed Velveeta cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, pat dry, and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in the milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Velveeta cubes and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Stir in cooked rigatoni and mix gently until coated in the sauce.
8. Add chicken back to the pan or plate it over the pasta.
9. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful meat.
Freshly minced garlic delivers the best taste—avoid pre-minced if possible.
To reduce spice, opt for a mild Cajun blend or add a splash of cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1¼ cups)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: spicy pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, Velveeta recipe, comfort food