Golden crispy chicken. Creamy, spicy Cajun sauce. Perfectly cooked rigatoni with strands of gooey melted mozzarella that stretch like a dream. This Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is one of those indulgent dinners that tastes like something out of a restaurant but is surprisingly easy to make at home.

The real star of this dish is that garlic mozzarella sauce — rich, buttery, with a Cajun kick and a touch of sweetness from caramelized bits of seared chicken. It clings to every bite of pasta, making it unforgettable. If you’re looking for the kind of pasta dinner that gets everyone quiet at the table for a minute (because they’re too busy devouring it), you’ve just found your next go-to recipe.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

Rigatoni is ideal here. Its large ridges catch the sauce and lock in the flavor. Plus, it holds up well under the weight of thick, cheesy sauces. If you don’t have rigatoni, penne or ziti make great backups.

Ingredients for the Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce

Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, these cook up juicy and soak in all that Cajun spice.

Cajun Seasoning: The soul of the dish. Adds warmth, heat, and bold Southern flavor.

Olive Oil + Butter: For searing the chicken and building the sauce base with flavor.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic elevates the creamy sauce with savory depth.

Heavy Cream: This gives the sauce its rich, luxurious texture.

Mozzarella Cheese: Use low-moisture shredded mozzarella for the perfect gooey pull.

Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty sharpness that balances the sauce.

Chicken Broth: Helps thin the sauce slightly without watering it down.

Rigatoni Pasta: Holds the sauce beautifully and gives the dish its hearty structure.

Parsley: A fresh finishing touch to brighten up all the richness.

How To Make the Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the pasta aside.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

Pat your chicken breasts dry and coat them generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and let rest before slicing.

Step 3: Build the Garlic Mozzarella Sauce

In the same skillet (don’t clean it – all those browned bits are flavor gold), reduce the heat to medium and add a bit more butter if needed. Sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any bits from the pan.

Step 4: Make It Creamy

Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Slowly stir in the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan, letting it melt completely. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Add the cooked rigatoni into the sauce and toss to coat. Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and spoon some sauce over the top. Let everything warm through for 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Serve It Hot

Serve in deep bowls, topped with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy. Best enjoyed immediately while it’s creamy, hot, and cheesy.

How to Serve and Store Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce

This dish is best served immediately, straight from the skillet while the cheese is still perfectly melty and stretchy. Use wide shallow bowls to catch every drop of that rich Cajun cream sauce. A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables on the side can help balance the indulgence.

If you have leftovers, let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream and warm it gently over the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until smooth and heated through.

Avoid freezing this dish—the cream and cheese sauce can break and turn grainy when thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is this dish?

It has a moderate Cajun kick, but you can control the heat by adjusting the amount of Cajun seasoning or using a mild version.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! Penne, ziti, or even rotini can work. Just choose something that holds sauce well.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce won’t be as thick and rich. Add a bit of cream cheese for extra body if needed.

Is it okay to use pre-shredded cheese?

Pre-shredded mozzarella will work, but for the best melt and flavor, shred it fresh if possible.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the chicken for roasted cauliflower or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

How do I keep the sauce from clumping?

Stir the cheese in gradually over low heat and keep the sauce moving. Adding a splash of pasta water helps keep things silky.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Kick?

If you’re craving bold and comforting pasta dishes like this Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni, here are a few more you’ll love:

One Skillet Sweet Spicy Sticky Chicken Pasta for that perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Chicken and Broccoli if you want a creamy pasta loaded with greens.
One Pot Creamy Spicy Cajun Chicken Sausage Mac when you want to turn up the Cajun flair.
Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta for a cheesy twist on comfort.
One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta Dinner for an easy, weeknight-friendly option.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can find it anytime you need a cozy and flavorful meal.

And when you try it, drop a comment below! Did you make it extra spicy? Swap in shrimp or add mushrooms? I love hearing your variations.

Let’s keep sharing ideas—and if you’re looking for more craveable recipes like this, check out my daily cooking pins on Pinterest: Life with Nina on Pinterest

Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Cajun

Print Recipe

Description

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Rigatoni with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is a bold, cheesy, and flavorful pasta dinner that combines seared Cajun-spiced chicken, rich garlic-infused cream sauce, and perfectly cooked rigatoni. It’s the ultimate comfort food for spice lovers.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest. Set pasta aside.

2. Season chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning.

3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest, then slice.

5. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

6. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the pan.

7. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

8. Slowly stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

9. Add cooked rigatoni and a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.

10. Return sliced chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and heat through.

11. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and more Parmesan if desired.