Description
This Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Twisted Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces seasoned with Cajun spices, seared in garlic butter, and combined with rotini pasta tossed in a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or chives (optional)
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic and Simmer Cream Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything well to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives over the dish for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper while cooking the chicken.
- If you prefer a lower-fat sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melt and flavor; pre-grated cheese might not melt as smoothly.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency and helps bind the sauce to the pasta.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful meat.
