Description

This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful one-pan meal that’s easy to prepare. Tender chunks of chicken are seasoned with Cajun spices, cooked to perfection, and tossed with rotini pasta in a rich garlic and three-cheese sauce. Garnished with fresh parsley, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with a bit of a spicy kick.

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. Cook the rotini according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until fully coated. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and 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 the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir in the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until melted and smooth.
Combine and simmer: Add the cooked rotini pasta and the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Let the skillet simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your cheesy, flavorful Cajun garlic chicken rotini skillet!

Notes

You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to suit your preferred spice level.
If you want a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese improves the flavor and melting quality of the sauce.
Be sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture works best for this dish.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid breaking the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet Cooking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 730 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 37 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, Cajun chicken recipe, garlic chicken skillet, rotini pasta dish, one-pan dinner