Description
A comforting and flavorful skillet dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts, rotini pasta, and a creamy garlic cheese sauce. Perfect for cozy nights when you crave a hearty, cheesy meal with a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts (Substitute with chicken thighs if desired)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning (Adjust according to spice tolerance)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Fresh garlic is also a good option)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder (Optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta (Can substitute with penne, farfalle, or fusilli)
Sautéing and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Essential for cooking the chicken)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (Margarine or dairy-free options can be used)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Consider light cream or coconut milk as alternatives)
- 1 cup Chicken Broth (Vegetable broth works for a vegetarian version)
Cheeses
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (Substitutes include Gouda or Monterey Jack)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated Pecorino Romano can also be substituted)
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese (Any melty cheese will work)
Garnish
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley (Chives or cilantro can be used as alternatives)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest, then slice.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low, add butter, and melt. Sauté minced garlic in the butter until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, taking care not to burn.
- Make Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until fully melted and smooth, forming a creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the cheese sauce and simmer together for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot immediately for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice tolerance; start with less if sensitive to heat.
- Fresh garlic can replace garlic powder for a more intense flavor in seasoning.
- Use light cream or coconut milk for a lighter or dairy-free sauce version.
- Vegetable broth can substitute chicken broth for vegetarian modifications (omit chicken meat for full vegetarian).
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cajun chicken, cheesy pasta skillet, garlic chicken rotini, creamy pasta dinner, one pan chicken recipe
