Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a delicious one-pan meal that’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavorful spices. It combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked rotini, and a rich, cheesy sauce with a hint of Cajun heat. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an easy and satisfying dinner option for any night.
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 package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil 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 the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Then add the cooked rotini and chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything to coat well and let simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Step 5: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For a milder dish, reduce the Cajun seasoning or omit the garlic powder.
- Use penne or fusilli pasta if rotini isn’t available.
- Add sautéed bell peppers or spinach for extra veggies and color.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
Storage
Store leftover skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, most short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or cavatappi work well in this recipe and hold the sauce nicely.
How spicy is the Cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning usually has a moderate spice level with a blend of paprika, cayenne, and other spices. You can adjust the amount used to suit your taste, or use a milder seasoning if preferred.
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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, cheesy, and flavorful one-pan meal that’s easy to prepare. Tender chunks of Cajun-seasoned chicken are cooked to perfection and combined with al dente rotini pasta in a rich garlic cream sauce, loaded with mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses. Finished with fresh parsley garnish, this skillet recipe brings a perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and cheesy goodness, making it a comforting dinner option for any night of the week.
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
- 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, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken chunks with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 6–7 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, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, mixing until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine & simmer: Add the cooked rotini pasta and the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Garnish the skillet with freshly chopped parsley and additional cheese if desired. Serve hot for a comforting and delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
- You can substitute rotini with penne or macaroni if preferred.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but it may reduce creaminess.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave to prevent sauce breaking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheesy Cajun Chicken, Garlic Chicken Pasta, Rotini Skillet, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Cajun Seasoned Chicken, One Pan Chicken Dinner
