Description
This Indulgent Creamy Parmesan Rotini with Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked rotini pasta tossed in a velvety Parmesan cream sauce, paired with juicy Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts seared to perfection. The sauce is enhanced with garlic butter and a touch of fresh parsley for brightness, making it a comforting yet gourmet meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta
- Salt, to taste (for pasta water)
Chicken
- 2 pieces Chicken Breasts or Thighs
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- ¼ cup Chopped Parsley
- Reserved pasta water (½ cup)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the rotini pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Season and cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs on both sides with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and let the chicken rest.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden but not burnt.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with garlic butter and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese along with the reserved pasta water. Continue simmering the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet with the Parmesan cream sauce. Toss well to ensure all the pasta is richly coated with the sauce.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken and place on top of the creamy rotini. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Use thighs if you prefer moister chicken with more flavor.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps loosen the sauce and allows it to cling perfectly to the pasta.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount according to your spice tolerance.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and enhances flavor more than pre-grated cheese.
- Resting the chicken after cooking ensures it stays juicy.
