Description
Creamy Parmesan Rotini with Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken is a quick weeknight dinner featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken, rotini in a silky Parmesan cream sauce, and rich garlic butter. Perfect for fans of creamy Parmesan rotini, Cajun chicken pasta, and garlic butter chicken.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta
1.25 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch cubes
1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.25 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp lemon juice, optional
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook rotini until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
3. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 5-7 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through; transfer to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium; add remaining 2 tbsp butter and garlic. Saute 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream; simmer 2 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan until smooth; loosen with splashes of pasta water as needed.
6. Stir in lemon juice if using; taste and adjust salt and pepper.
7. Toss rotini with the sauce; return chicken and any juices. Stir to coat.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, creamy sauce.
Control heat by adjusting the Cajun seasoning or adding red pepper flakes.
Reserve pasta water before draining; it emulsifies and loosens the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 820
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg