Description
Looking for a comforting yet spicy dinner that doesn’t take all night? Creamy Parmesan Rotini with Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken is your answer. This quick and easy recipe combines tender Cajun-spiced chicken seared in garlic butter with rich, cheesy parmesan rotini. Perfect for a weeknight meal or weekend comfort food fix, it’s full of flavor, texture, and just the right amount of heat. Great for dinner ideas, easy recipes, or when you’re craving a creamy pasta with bold protein. It’s one of the best quick dinners you’ll keep coming back to. Try it tonight—you won’t regret it!
Ingredients
1 lb rotini pasta
1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
1 tbsp olive oil
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)
½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter with olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken in batches and sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
4. Boil rotini in generously salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
5. In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
6. Add heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let simmer 2–3 minutes.
7. Stir in parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce thicken slightly.
8. Add cooked rotini and toss until well coated. Add pasta water as needed to loosen.
9. Return chicken to the pan or serve it over the pasta.
10. Garnish with more parmesan or herbs if desired and serve hot.
Notes
Let the chicken rest for a couple minutes after cooking to keep it juicy and flavorful.
Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest sauce texture.
Adjust the heat of the Cajun seasoning to your spice preference—mild or fiery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American with Cajun influence
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1½ cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, Cajun chicken pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe, parmesan rotini