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Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Twisted Pasta


  • Author: Sara McKenney
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Turn up the flavor with this Cajun Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Twisted Pasta—a spicy, buttery, and indulgent pasta dish that’s perfect for a quick dinner, cozy comfort food night, or an easy meal to impress. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken is pan-seared to golden perfection and nestled over rotini pasta swirled in a garlicky cream sauce rich with Parmesan. If you’re looking for dinner ideas, easy recipes, or a way to upgrade weeknight meals, this dish is a must-try. It’s everything you love in comfort food, packed into one satisfying bowl. The perfect blend of bold seasoning and creamy texture—ideal for quick dinners, comfort meals, or flavorful food ideas.


Ingredients

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic minced

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

8 ounces rotini pasta

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional


Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Reduce heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Let it simmer until slightly thickened.

6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

7. Add the cooked pasta into the sauce and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

8. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Let everything heat through for 1–2 minutes.

9. Garnish with chopped parsley if using, then serve hot with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan to prevent a grainy sauce.

Don’t overcook the chicken—remove it from heat once it’s golden and just cooked through.

Save pasta water! It helps adjust the sauce consistency beautifully.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Cajun-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 640
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 880mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 150mg

Keywords: quick dinner, easy pasta, cajun chicken, creamy pasta, comfort food, food ideas, dinner ideas