Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for cozy nights. It combines tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta with a spicy Cajun kick. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s an easy dinner to satisfy the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 12 oz rotini pasta (can substitute with penne, farfalle, or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (can replace with canola or vegetable oil)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (substitute with a different spice mix for a milder taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (can use fresh minced garlic)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (omit if unavailable)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter (can substitute with olive oil for dairy-free)
- 1 cup heavy cream (light cream or coconut cream can be alternatives)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (vegetable broth can be used for vegetarian option)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season 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 golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Allow the mixture to simmer.
- Step 4: Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Step 5: Return the cooked rotini and chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything in the cheese sauce. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, with extra cheese if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, reduce the Cajun seasoning or substitute it with Italian seasoning.
- Use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a stronger garlic taste.
- Swap heavy cream with coconut cream to make a dairy-free version with a subtle coconut flavor.
- Add vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
- If you prefer a crispier chicken, finish it under the broiler for a couple of minutes before adding the sauce.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving for long periods to keep the creamy texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, penne, farfalle, or fusilli are great substitutes for rotini and will work well with the sauce.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can cook the chicken and pasta ahead and store them separately. Assemble and heat with the sauce just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
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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 comforting and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for cozy nights. Tender bite-sized chicken breasts are seasoned with Cajun spices and sautéed, then combined with al dente rotini pasta in a rich, creamy garlic cheese sauce made with mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar. Finished with fresh parsley, this skillet dinner is easy to prepare and delivers satisfying warmth and bold Cajun flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz Rotini Pasta (can substitute penne, farfalle, or fusilli)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (can replace with canola or vegetable oil)
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Butter (can substitute with olive oil for dairy-free)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (light cream or coconut cream alternatives)
- 1/2 cup Chicken Broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized 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 until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the skillet and sauté 4 cloves of minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to burn. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream, stirring gently. Allow the mixture to simmer briefly.
- Add the Cheeses: Stir in shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and shredded cheddar cheese into the simmering sauce. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked rotini pasta and browned chicken to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer together for an additional 2–3 minutes to heat through and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot, optionally adding extra cheese on top for more indulgence if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute rotini with other short pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or fusilli.
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or use a different spice blend.
- Use light cream or coconut cream as alternatives to heavy cream for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- Vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth to make this dish vegetarian-friendly (omit chicken or replace with a plant-based protein).
- Butter can be replaced with olive oil for a dairy-free sauce base.
- Ensure not to overcook the pasta to maintain a perfect al dente texture.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, cajun chicken skillet, garlic chicken rotini, creamy pasta skillet, easy chicken dinner, one pan meal
