Cheesy Cajun Garlic Rotini Skillet (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken, rotini, and bold Cajun spices in a creamy garlic cheese sauce—comfort food, one skillet, minimal fuss.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 -
12 ounces dry rotini pasta
03 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
04 -
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
05 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 -
1 teaspoon onion powder
07 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
08 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sauce
09 -
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 -
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
11 -
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 -
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 -
1 1/4 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
14 -
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 -
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ Finishing
16 -
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
# Steps to Make This:
01 -
In a large bowl, toss chicken breast pieces evenly with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly coated.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add seasoned chicken and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, turning pieces until caramelized and fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 -
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
04 -
Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to incorporate flavor. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, whisking until melted and fully combined into a smooth sauce.
05 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
06 -
Add drained rotini to the skillet with cheese sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta. If sauce is too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water in small amounts until desired consistency is reached.
07 -
Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir until evenly distributed and heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with chopped parsley just before serving.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Reserving some pasta cooking water allows you to adjust sauce thickness for a silky, glossy finish.
02 -
Shred cheeses fresh for optimal melting and smoothness in the sauce.
03 -
Flavor deepens when made ahead; keep refrigerated up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth.
04 -
Dish can be made less spicy by reducing Cajun seasoning or more intense with added cayenne pepper.