Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet

If you’re anything like me, there are nights when you just don’t want to deal with a mountain of dishes—but you still want dinner to feel special. That’s where this Cheesy Cajun Garlic Chicken Rotini Skillet comes in. It’s rich, creamy, a little spicy, and best of all, it’s a one-skillet wonder. Minimal cleanup? Yes, please.

This is the kind of dish that feels like something you might order at your favorite comfort-food restaurant, but it comes together so fast you’ll be shocked it didn’t take more effort. It’s hearty enough for a cozy family dinner but also totally impressive if you’ve got friends dropping by. And the flavor? Oh, it delivers. Savory garlic, a punch of Cajun seasoning, and creamy, cheesy goodness all wrapped up in rotini pasta—it’s the trifecta of weeknight dinner dreams.

I made this recipe on a whim one night when I had chicken in the fridge, pasta in the pantry, and not much energy left after a long day. I threw it all together with some Cajun seasoning and cheese, and my family went nuts over it. Now it’s part of our regular rotation—and I’m not mad about that.

this recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cups rotini pasta

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)

STEP 1: Season the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Toss them in a bowl with the Cajun seasoning, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure every piece is well coated—this step lays down the flavor foundation for the entire dish.

Pro Tip: If you like a little extra heat, you can amp up the Cajun seasoning here or even throw in a pinch of cayenne.

STEP 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re golden brown and cooked through.

Take your time with this part—the browning adds so much flavor. Once they’re done, go ahead and transfer them to a plate and set them aside.

STEP 3: Sauté the Garlic

Don’t wipe out the skillet—you want to keep all those flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Add your minced garlic straight into the same pan and sauté it for about a minute. The smell alone will let you know you’re on the right track.

STEP 4: Cook the Pasta Right in the Skillet

Here comes the magic: add the uncooked rotini and chicken broth right into the skillet with the garlic. Turn up the heat and bring it to a boil. Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to a simmer and stir every few minutes. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

This method makes everything extra flavorful since the pasta soaks up the broth as it cooks—and it saves you from having to boil water in a separate pot. Win-win.

Now that your pasta is tender and infused with garlicky, Cajun-spiced broth, it’s time for the best part: the creamy, cheesy sauce that ties everything together. If you’re a fan of ultra-comforting meals with bold flavor and minimal effort, this next step is where the magic really happens.

This part of the recipe is super forgiving. The cream and cheese melt into the starchy broth that’s left in the skillet, creating a velvety sauce that coats every bite of pasta and chicken. You don’t need a separate pan, and you don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen—just stir it all together and let the ingredients do the work.

STEP 5: Add the Cream and Cheeses

Once the pasta has absorbed most of the chicken broth and is nice and tender, go ahead and stir in the heavy cream. Let it warm up for a minute, then sprinkle in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

Stir everything together slowly until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. At this point, you’ll see the dish really come to life. The sauce will cling to the pasta, giving it that irresistible creamy texture with cheesy pulls in every bite.

Tip: Don’t rush the melting process. Keep the heat on low and stir gently—it helps everything blend without the cheese turning grainy.

STEP 6: Return the Chicken to the Skillet

Once the sauce is silky and thickened, it’s time to bring back the star of the show. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine everything well. Let it all simmer together for another 2 to 3 minutes, just until the chicken is heated through and the flavors have had a chance to mingle.

Taste the dish at this point and adjust the seasoning if needed. Depending on the saltiness of your broth and Cajun seasoning, you might want to add a little more salt or pepper here.

STEP 7: Finish with a Fresh Touch (Optional)

If you’re feeling fancy—or just want a little pop of color—sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley over the top before serving. It gives the dish a nice contrast and a little freshness that balances out the richness of the cheese and cream.

Make It Your Own: Quick Variations and Add-Ins

One of the things I love most about this skillet dinner is how flexible it is. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, it’s easy to tweak it based on what you have on hand or what your family loves. Here are a few ideas to mix things up:

• Use a different protein – This works great with shrimp, sausage, or even leftover rotisserie chicken.

• Swap the pasta – If you don’t have rotini, try penne, fusilli, or farfalle. Short pasta shapes that hold onto sauce work best.

• Add some veggies – Spinach, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms would be delicious additions and can be sautéed after the garlic step.

• Turn up the heat – Want it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.

• Try a different cheese combo – Pepper Jack adds a spicy twist, or you can go extra gooey with Monterey Jack.

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s a solid base with endless options. Whether you’re clearing out your fridge or just want to add your own spin, it’s super easy to make this skillet your own.

Meal Prep and Leftover Tips

This skillet meal also happens to make fantastic leftovers. The flavors deepen after a night in the fridge, and it reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to loosen up the sauce.

You can even portion it into containers for an easy work lunch the next day—trust me, your future self will thank you.