Here’s a one-pan, creamy, cheesy, flavor-packed pasta dish with Cajun flair. Perfect weeknight comfort food! 🍗🧄🧀🌶️
🥘 Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet
Ingredients
For the chicken & seasoning
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
2 tbsp olive oil (or butter)
For the skillet
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
12 oz rotini pasta (uncooked)
1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes (drained)
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
For the cheesy finish
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Cook the chicken
Toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden (doesn’t need to cook through). Remove and set aside.
Sauté veggies & garlic
In the same skillet, add onion and bell peppers. Cook until softened (about 4 minutes).
Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
Build the sauce & cook pasta
Stir in chicken broth, cream, fire-roasted tomatoes, paprika, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
Add uncooked rotini pasta, stirring to submerge.
Return chicken (and any juices) to the skillet.
Cover and simmer on medium-low, stirring occasionally, for 12–15 minutes or until pasta is al dente and chicken is cooked through.
Make it cheesy
Once pasta is tender, stir in mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Serve hot straight from the skillet!
Tips & Variations
Extra creamy: Add 4 oz cream cheese at the end before stirring in shredded cheese.
Veggie boost: Toss in spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms.
Spicy kick: Use pepper jack instead of mozzarella and add more Cajun seasoning.
Would you like me to also give you a sheet-pan baked version of this recipe, where the chicken, veggies, and pasta bake together with the cheese on top?