Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal that comes together quickly. Tender chicken seasoned with Cajun spices and a creamy, cheesy sauce make this dish a hit for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6–7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until the sauce is smooth and fully melted.
- Step 5: Return the cooked rotini and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything to coat well in the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Step 6: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra cheese if desired, then serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some sliced jalapeños to the sauce.
- You can swap rotini for penne or fusilli if preferred.
- Use Greek yogurt or sour cream in place of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though the texture will be less rich.
- If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper as a quick substitute.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely beforehand to avoid uneven cooking and texture issues.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can use dairy-free cream alternatives and vegan cheese substitutes, but the flavor and creaminess will vary. Make sure to choose cheeses that melt well for best results.
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Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a creamy, flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with Cajun spices and cooked until juicy, then combined with al dente rotini pasta and a rich garlic cheese sauce made with mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar. Finished with fresh parsley, this dish brings a deliciously comforting Cajun twist to classic creamy chicken pasta.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to coat evenly. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then gradually stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine and simmer: Return the cooked rotini pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat evenly with the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to let the flavors meld and the dish heat through.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley and additional cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting, cheesy Cajun garlic chicken pasta skillet!
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use freshly grated cheeses for best melting and flavor results.
- Rotini works great here, but you can substitute with penne or fusilli pasta.
- To lighten the dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheesy Cajun Chicken Pasta, Garlic Chicken Rotini, One-Pan Chicken Pasta, Cajun Chicken Skillet, Creamy Chicken Pasta
