Here’s a bold and comforting one-pan dinner: Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet. It’s creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor — perfect for a weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup!
🔥🧄 Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2–3 tsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups rotini pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend: cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped parsley, for garnish
🧑🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook the chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Sear chicken in the skillet until golden and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté garlic
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add a little more oil if needed.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown it).
3. Cook the pasta
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a light simmer.
- Add uncooked rotini, stir, and cover. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens. Add more broth if it gets too thick.
4. Add cheese and chicken
- Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more Cajun spice.
5. Garnish & serve
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a little extra cheese, if desired.
- Serve hot straight from the skillet!
🔄 Variations & Add-ins:
- Add sliced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms during the garlic sauté step for more texture.
- Swap rotini for penne, bowties, or rigatoni.
- Want it extra spicy? Add a dash of hot sauce or an extra pinch of cayenne.