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

Scale

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