Description
Golden garlic butter chicken tossed with creamy, cheesy Cajun rotini for a bold, cozy, and ultra-satisfying skillet dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente according to package directions, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Meanwhile, pat chicken dry and toss with Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Sear chicken in an even layer until golden and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet, then stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer gently, stirring, until slightly thickened and silky, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until fully melted and smooth. If needed, loosen with splashes of reserved pasta water for a glossy, clingy sauce.
- Add drained rotini and cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss until every spiral is coated. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Finish with chopped parsley. Rest 2 minutes so the sauce settles, then serve hot.
Notes
- Note: Grate cheese fresh for the smoothest melt and the creamiest sauce.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes with the Cajun seasoning.
- Reserve pasta water to emulsify and rescue a sauce that feels too thick.
- Let the skillet rest briefly off heat so the sauce clings beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken,cajun pasta,cheesy rotini,weeknight dinner,skillet pasta,comfort food,creamy cajun chicken