Description

This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is the perfect cozy meal, featuring tender bite-sized chicken chunks seasoned with vibrant Cajun spices, tossed with al dente rotini pasta, and smothered in a rich, creamy three-cheese sauce. Easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors, this one-pan dish is ideal for comforting weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 tablespoons Olive Oil (canola or vegetable oil as substitute)
2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (use milder spice mix if preferred)
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (or fresh minced garlic)
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder (optional)
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Pasta

12 oz Rotini Pasta (penne, farfalle, or fusilli can be used)

Sauce and Garnish

4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Butter (or 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
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, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce: Lower the skillet heat to medium. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet and sauté the minced garlic cloves for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring gently. Allow the mixture to simmer while gradually stirring in the mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked rotini pasta and browned chicken pieces to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Gently toss everything to coat well with the sauce. Let it simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh finish. Serve hot, with optional extra cheese sprinkled on top if desired for added indulgence.

Notes

You can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or fusilli depending on your preference.
For a milder flavor, adjust or reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning used.
Use light cream or coconut cream as a lower-fat or dairy-free alternative to heavy cream.
Vegetable broth can replace chicken broth to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
Omitting onion powder will not drastically affect flavor, so it’s optional if unavailable.
Adding fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder can enhance garlic flavor but adjust according to taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, cajun chicken skillet, garlic rotini, creamy cajun pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one-pan chicken pasta