Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Rotini with Garlic Mozzarella Sauce is a flavorful, comforting pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken served over al dente rotini pasta and coated in a rich, garlicky mozzarella cream sauce. This quick and easy recipe brings together bold Cajun seasoning and creamy textures for a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon butter (for chicken)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter (for sauce)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with Cajun seasoning to infuse the meat with bold flavors.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest briefly, then slice it into strips.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the shredded mozzarella cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let it simmer together for about 1 minute to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta topped with the sliced Cajun chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley and, if desired, a light sprinkle of additional Cajun seasoning for extra flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to suit your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh parsley for a brighter herb flavor or dried if fresh is not available.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Leftover dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
