Cheesy Cajun Garlic Rotini Skillet (Printable Recipe)

Juicy chicken and rotini pasta in a rich Cajun-spiced cheese sauce, all made in one convenient skillet.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz rotini pasta

→ Seasonings and Oil

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - Salt to taste
08 - Black pepper to taste

→ Aromatics and Fat

09 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Sauce Base

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

→ Cheese

13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Cut chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces. Toss thoroughly with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook 5-7 minutes, turning to achieve golden caramelization on all sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release aromatic oils.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer, then gradually add mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
05 - Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook rotini according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
06 - Add drained rotini to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Toss gently to coat each spiral completely. If sauce appears too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
07 - Return seared chicken to the skillet and fold gently to combine. Heat through over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Toast Cajun seasoning with chicken to intensify flavors and aromatic compounds
02 - Always shred cheese fresh for the smoothest, most cohesive sauce
03 - Reserve pasta cooking water as a natural sauce thickener and consistency adjuster
04 - Flavors develop and improve when stored overnight, making excellent leftovers

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