Description
Creamy Parmesan Rotini with Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken is a weeknight pasta dinner featuring tender Cajun‑spiced chicken, rotini in a silky Parmesan cream sauce, and rich garlic butter. This easy creamy Cajun chicken pasta is ready in about 40 minutes and delivers restaurant‑quality comfort at home.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish
1 tsp lemon juice, optional
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Pat chicken dry and coat with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high and sear chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through; transfer to a plate.
3. Reduce heat to medium, add butter to the same skillet, then stir in garlic and cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream and scrape up browned bits; simmer gently. Stir in Parmesan until smooth, loosening with a splash of reserved pasta water as needed.
5. Toss rotini in the sauce until coated and glossy; add lemon juice if using and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
6. Slice chicken and nestle over the pasta. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan so it melts smoothly into the cream.
If the sauce thickens on standing, revive with a few spoonfuls of warm pasta water.
For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne with the Cajun seasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 770
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 930 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg