Description

This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful one-pan meal that’s perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices are cooked to perfection and combined with al dente rotini pasta in a luscious garlic cream sauce loaded with mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses. Finished with fresh parsley, this dish offers a perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and cheesy goodness, all made effortlessly in one skillet for easy cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

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

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

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet 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 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, 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 over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until they melt smoothly to form a creamy sauce.
Combine and simmer: Return the cooked rotini and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta and chicken in the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and extra cheese if desired. Serve the dish hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Use freshly grated cheeses for best melting and flavor.
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of cream or broth to keep the sauce creamy.
Gluten-free rotini pasta can be used to make this dish gluten-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cheesy cajun chicken, garlic chicken pasta, rotini skillet, creamy chicken pasta, Cajun chicken recipe, one skillet dinner