Cheesy Cajun Garlic Rotini Skillet (Printer-Friendly)

Chicken, rotini, and smooth cheese sauce meld with Cajun seasonings for a bold, comforting one-pan meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta

02 - 12 ounces rotini pasta, dry

→ Oils and Fats

03 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

05 - 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Aromatics

10 - 5 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

11 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
12 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Cheese

13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Fresh Herbs

16 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Toss chicken breast pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté seasoned chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden brown on all sides and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini according to package directions for al dente texture. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
04 - Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer, then gradually add mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir continuously until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
06 - Add cooked rotini to cheese sauce. Gently toss to coat pasta evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small increments until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Return browned chicken to skillet. Warm over low heat, stirring to combine and heat through. Adjust seasoning to taste. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For optimal texture and flavor, freshly shred all cheeses and use flat-leaf parsley for a tender finish.
02 - To adjust spice level, modify the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
03 - Reserve pasta water for loosening the sauce if it thickens too much after combining with pasta.
04 - Leftovers keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently with additional broth or cream to restore creaminess.

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