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Chicken Rotini Skillet Recipe

4.6 from 82 reviews

This Chicken Rotini Skillet is a creamy, cheesy one-pan meal packed with tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, rotini pasta, and a flavorful garlic cream sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner, combining the spicy kick of Cajun seasoning with the richness of mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses, all tossed together in a quick and easy skillet recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 12 oz rotini pasta

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to evenly coat. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and shredded cheddar cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine & simmer: Return the cooked rotini and chicken back into the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly so the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the cheesy Cajun garlic sauce. Let it simmer together for 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Optionally, sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired. Serve the Chicken Rotini Skillet hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
  • Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • To make it gluten-free, substitute rotini with a gluten-free pasta variety.

Keywords: Chicken skillet recipe, creamy chicken pasta, Cajun chicken pasta, rotini skillet, one-pan dinner, cheesy chicken pasta