Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
A delicious one-pot meal combining tender chicken, rotini pasta, and a rich Cajun garlic cheese sauce, perfect for cozy nights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts Can substitute with chicken thighs
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Substitute options include penne, farfalle, or fusilli
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Essential for cooking the chicken
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning Adjust according to spice preference
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Fresh garlic can also be used
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder Optional
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced
- 2 tablespoons Butter Margarine or dairy-free options can be used
- 1 cup Heavy Cream Light cream or coconut milk are alternatives
- 1 cup Chicken Broth Vegetable broth for a vegetarian alternative
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese Can substitute with Gouda or Monterey Jack
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese Grated Pecorino Romano as another option
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese Any melted cheese works
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley Can use chives or cilantro
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Begin by boiling a pot of salted water and cooking the rotini according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes for al dente.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Preparing Chicken
- While the pasta is cooking, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add seasoned chicken pieces and cook for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Sautéing Garlic
- Remove cooked chicken and reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter to the skillet and once melted, sauté minced garlic for about a minute until fragrant.
Creating Sauce
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to incorporate the garlic.
- Allow the mixture to simmer, adding the remaining butter until melted.
Adding Cheeses
- Gradually sprinkle in mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan, stirring until melted and the sauce is creamy.
Combining Ingredients
- Toss the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the drained rotini.
- Mix everything together until well coated in sauce.
Garnishing
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley.
Notes
For best flavor, consider marinating the chicken. This dish is great for batch cooking and can easily be adjusted for vegetarian options.