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Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet in cooking pan

Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet

A creamy, comforting skillet dish with tender chicken, rich cheese sauce, and Cajun seasoning served with rotini pasta
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 640

Ingredients
  

  • 2 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
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp 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
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot for cooking pasta
  • Cutting board and knife

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and start cooking the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining, then set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken chunks with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, tossing to coat evenly.
  3. Add seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant - watch carefully to prevent burning.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking to combine. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer (small bubbles around edges), then gradually add mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, stirring constantly until smooth and melted.
  6. Return cooked rotini and chicken to the skillet, tossing everything together to coat evenly in the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors. Add reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Cook pasta and chicken simultaneously for efficient timing. Make sure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F. Use freshly minced garlic for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.