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Creamy Cajun Chicken Rotini

This creamy, spicy dish features seasoned chicken combined with rotini pasta in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 660
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cajun Chicken
  • 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • to taste Salt & black pepper
For the Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz rotini pasta
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • 0.75 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (to adjust sauce consistency)
  • to taste Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
  • to taste Extra Parmesan (optional garnish)
  • to taste A light sprinkle of Cajun seasoning (optional garnish)

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Boil rotini in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Cook the Cajun Chicken
  1. Pat chicken strips dry and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  2. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
  3. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth, then stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until creamy.
  4. Add red pepper flakes if desired for additional heat.
Combine Pasta & Chicken
  1. Toss the cooked rotini in the sauce until fully coated.
  2. Return chicken to the skillet, folding it gently into the pasta.
  3. Add reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
Serve & Garnish
  1. Plate creamy Cajun rotini with chicken on top.
  2. Garnish with parsley, extra Parmesan, and a light dusting of Cajun seasoning.

Notes

Cool the dish to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Do not freeze cream-heavy dishes; texture may change.