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Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet

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A cozy and quick dinner featuring chicken and rotini in a creamy Cajun sauce topped with three kinds of cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into bite-sized chunks)
  • 12 oz Rotini Pasta (can substitute with penne, farfalle, or fusilli)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (can replace with canola or vegetable oil)
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (substitute with a different spice mix for a milder taste)
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (can use fresh minced garlic)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder (omit if unavailable)
  • Salt and Pepper (to taste)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon Butter (can substitute with olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream (light cream or coconut cream can be alternatives)
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth (vegetable broth can be used for vegetarian option)
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini according to package until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain the rest.
  2. Season chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in batches and brown on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add drained rotini and return chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  7. Add mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar. Stir until cheeses melt and sauce thickens. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
  8. Taste and adjust salt or Cajun seasoning. Stir in chopped parsley.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with more parsley and extra cheese if desired.

Notes

This dish is easy to modify. You can use different pastas or proteins and adjust spice levels as preferred.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://voxrecipes.com/cajun-garlic-chicken-rotini-skillet-cozy-nights/