Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
Creamy, spicy, and irresistibly cheesy—this Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized chunks
- 12 oz Rotini pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 5 cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Heavy cream Room temperature
- 1/2 cup Chicken broth Low-sodium preferred
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp Fresh parsley Chopped, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, combine Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces in the spice mix until evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 8–9 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and add 1 tablespoon butter. When melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant—do not let it burn.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Increase heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine and scrape up any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Lower the heat and stir in the mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses a little at a time. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or cream to reach desired consistency.
- Add the cooked rotini and the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss gently until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To freeze, portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.