Description
A rich and flavorful Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet that combines tender Cajun-spiced chicken with a creamy three-cheese sauce, perfectly coating al dente rotini pasta. This one-pan meal is quick, easy, and sure to satisfy your craving for bold, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 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. Cook the rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken 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 fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses. Mix until smooth and fully melted.
- Combine & simmer: Add the cooked rotini and chicken back into the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly in the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra cheese if desired. Serve hot!
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the Cajun seasoning or add cayenne pepper.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe gluten free.
- To lighten the dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth if sauce thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, cheesy chicken skillet, garlic chicken rotini, creamy pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner
