Description
Craving something hearty with a bold kick? This Cajun Chicken Rotini is creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced (or substitute with shrimp)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cream (or use coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini as per package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the rest, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and slightly browned.
- Add garlic, onions, and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream. Mix gently and add a bit of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Mix in the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese until everything is coated evenly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm, topped with extra Parmesan and green onions if desired.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, marinate your chicken in Cajun seasoning for a few hours before cooking. This dish reheats beautifully; just add a splash of broth or cream when warming up. Craving more heat? Toss in some jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce while sautéing the vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, rotini, creamy pasta, chicken dinner