Description
Experience the ultimate comfort food with our Cheesy Garlic Chicken Rotini in Cajun Cream Sauce. This creamy and indulgent pasta dish features tender chicken pieces seasoned with zesty Cajun spices, enveloped in a rich cheese sauce that is both savory and satisfying. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this one-pot meal promises a delightful explosion of flavors while keeping cleanup to a minimum.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thick bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for melting over chicken
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for sauce
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Chopped parsley or dried herbs, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rotini in boiling salted water until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; toss to coat.
- Sear chicken in olive oil and butter over medium-high heat until golden-brown; add garlic and some mozzarella to melt.
- Prepare the sauce in the same skillet by combining heavy cream and chicken broth; whisk in cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in Velveeta, remaining mozzarella, and Parmesan; simmer until thickened.
- Toss cooked rotini with sauce; use reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley or dried herbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 847mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: For added heat, increase Cajun seasoning or include crushed red pepper flakes. Substitute chicken with mushrooms for a vegetarian version and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.