Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is your new weeknight hero, delivering bold flavors and creamy comfort in a single pan. This one-pot wonder makes it easy to whip up a satisfying meal with minimal fuss, perfect for busy families or anyone craving a delicious, no-muss, no-fuss dinner.
Key Ingredients for Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups uncooked rotini pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Extra Cajun seasoning, for serving (optional)
How to Make Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a triumph of simplicity and flavor, boasting a decadent, creamy sauce that coats every bite of tender chicken and al dente pasta. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have an incredibly satisfying meal that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant, but with the ease of a weeknight wonder.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season them with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving any drippings in the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the Pasta: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this is where a lot of flavor lives! Bring the broth to a simmer. Add the uncooked rotini pasta to the simmering broth, stirring to prevent sticking. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Uncover the skillet and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Combine and Melt Cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is completely melted and gooey.
- Serve: Remove the lid and stir gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
You’ll adore this Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet for its explosion of Cajun-inspired spices melded with a luxuriously creamy cheese sauce that hugs every piece of tender chicken and perfectly cooked rotini pasta. It’s a flavor-packed, one-pot meal that rivals any restaurant dish, but without the hefty price tag of dining out, allowing you to enjoy restaurant-quality taste from the comfort of your own kitchen and a fraction of the cost. The vibrant Cajun kick, balanced by the comforting creaminess and the addictive cheesy goodness, creates a deeply satisfying experience that’s both delicious and surprisingly budget-friendly.
Unlike a simple pasta bake, this skillet meal comes together remarkably fast and requires minimal cleanup thanks to its one-pot nature, making it the ultimate stress-free dinner solution. If you’ve ever enjoyed a flavorful shrimp alfredo or a spicy chicken pasta, you’ll find this dish to be an equally delightful, albeit more robustly seasoned, alternative that will quickly become a family favorite. Don’t hesitate, give this incredible Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet a try tonight – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Allow the Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet to cool completely. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, cool the skillet meal completely. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating (Stovetop): The best method for reheating is on the stovetop. Place the desired portion in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of milk or chicken broth to help loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.
- Reheating (Microwave): Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave on 50% power for longer, stirring halfway through, until heated through to avoid drying out the pasta and sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet is a true weeknight wonder, proving that deeply flavorful and satisfying meals can be incredibly simple to make. Give it a try and discover your new go-to comfort food that’s bursting with taste and minimal fuss.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season them with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving any drippings in the pan.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 small yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this is where a lot of flavor lives! Bring the broth to a simmer. Add the uncooked rotini pasta to the simmering broth, stirring to prevent sticking. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.3 cups chicken broth, 1 ½ cups uncooked rotini pasta
- Uncover the skillet and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce begins to thicken.½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is completely melted and gooey.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Remove the lid and stir gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Cajun seasoning if desired. Serve immediately.¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, extra Cajun seasoning