Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender chicken and rotini come together in a creamy garlic sauce with a blend of melted cheeses.
# Ingredients Required:
→ Chicken
01 -
450 grams boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
→ Pasta
02 -
340 grams rotini pasta (penne, farfalle, or fusilli as alternatives)
→ Cooking
03 -
30 milliliters olive oil (canola or vegetable oil as substitutes)
→ Spice Mix
04 -
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use milder spice mix if preferred)
05 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder (fresh minced garlic optional)
06 -
0.5 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
07 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Sauce
08 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
15 grams unsalted butter (can substitute olive oil for dairy-free)
10 -
240 milliliters heavy cream (light or coconut cream as alternatives)
11 -
120 milliliters chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
→ Cheeses
12 -
100 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
13 -
50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
14 -
50 grams shredded cheddar cheese
→ Finishing
15 -
15 grams fresh parsley, chopped
# Guide to Cooking:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken chunks evenly with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 -
Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently. Allow mixture to simmer briefly, then stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheeses until melted and sauce is smooth.
04 -
Return cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly in the sauce. Simmer an additional 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and sauce thickens slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.