Cajun Chicken Rotini with Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce
Cajun Chicken Rotini with Mozzarella Garlic Butter Sauce is a creamy, flavorful dish that captures the essence of Cajun cuisine in every bite. This comforting pasta recipe features tender chicken tossed with spiraled rotini, all enveloped in a rich mozzarella garlic butter sauce. Perfect for family dinners or cozy weeknights, this dish is not only quick to prepare but also versatile enough to accommodate various tastes. Whether you enjoy it on its own or paired with a fresh salad and garlic bread, this hearty meal is sure to impress everyone at the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the rotini and cook until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 7-8 minutes until golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally. In the last minute, stir in half the minced garlic to infuse flavor. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet, followed by the rest of the garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream while stirring as it heats. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Mix well until melted into a thick, velvety sauce.
- Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked rotini to the skillet and toss until all spirals are coated with that creamy Cajun cheese sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen up the sauce.
- Serve your cheesy rotini hot with Cajun garlic chicken spooned on top or folded in. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 340g)
- Calories: 995
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 63g
- Saturated Fat: 33g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 215mg