I remember the first time I made this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini. Oh, honey, it was a disaster! I was trying to impress my husband’s boss, who, let’s just say, has a…refined palate. I envisioned this creamy, dreamy garlic butter chicken pasta masterpiece. Instead, I ended up with dry chicken, gluey pasta, and a sauce that tasted vaguely of burnt garlic. Sigh. Talk about a kitchen nightmare. But I’m stubborn, and I knew there was something amazing hiding in that recipe. So, I tweaked it, experimented, and after several (more) attempts, I finally nailed it.
Now, this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is a staple in our house. The aroma of garlic sizzling in butter, the spicy kick of the Cajun seasoning, and the cheesy goodness of the rotini… it’s pure comfort food magic. My kids practically inhale it, and even my picky teenager gives it a thumbs-up. It’s one of those recipes that just *works*, even on the busiest weeknights. Honestly, I often throw it together after a long day of work. I love how this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini comes together so quickly.
What I love most about this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is how easily it can be adapted. Sometimes, I add veggies like bell peppers or spinach. Other times, I’ll swap out the rotini for penne or farfalle. The possibilities are endless! It’s truly a recipe that you can make your own, even with some easy garlic butter chicken rotini.
Trust me, once you try this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, it will become a family favorite in your house too. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table, happy and hungry. So, let’s get started!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken Over Cheesy Cajun Rotini
Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting dish. The combination of flavors is what makes it so irresistible.
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (I use Tony Chachere’s, but any brand will do)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Now, a few notes on these ingredients. I always use real butter for my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini. The flavor is just unbeatable. I’ve tried using margarine before, and it just doesn’t have the same richness. It’s one of those things that makes all the difference. When making garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, you can usually find the Cajun seasoning in the spice aisle of your local grocery store. But if you can’t find it, you can always make your own blend with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
Here’s a garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini trick I learned from my mom: always grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own ensures a perfectly creamy and cheesy sauce. This is especially important for that cheesy cajun rotini recipe!
For busy families making garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, you can definitely prep some of the ingredients ahead of time. Chop the chicken, mince the garlic, and shred the cheese the night before. This will save you valuable time when you’re ready to cook. To save a little money on these ingredients for the garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, I buy chicken in bulk when it’s on sale and freeze it. It’s a great way to keep your grocery bill down.
For storing leftover ingredients for this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, keep the uncooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The cheese should also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. And don’t forget to store your garlic in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Over Cheesy Cajun Rotini – Step-by-Step
Follow these easy steps to create your own garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini masterpiece:
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Don’t overcook it! You want it to be al dente because it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Burnt garlic is bitter and will ruin the whole dish.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. I learned the hard way with garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini that it’s better to slightly undercook the chicken because it will continue to cook in the sauce. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Chicken from Farm to Table provides safe temperature practices for chicken.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly. Don’t worry if your garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini sauce seems a little thin at first. It will thicken as it simmers.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth. I learned this while making the creamy garlic butter chicken, if the cheese doesn’t melt properly try adding a little more cream!
- Add the cooked rotini pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Make sure all the pasta is evenly coated in that glorious cheesy, garlic butter chicken sauce.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately. Your garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini should smell like garlic, butter, and cheesy goodness. If it doesn’t, you’re doing something wrong!
In my kitchen, garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini usually takes about 30 minutes to make from start to finish. It’s a perfect dish for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Sometimes, I’ll even double the recipe so we have leftovers for lunch the next day. I always double the recipe, because I can say that the garlic butter chicken pasta is even better the next day!
While the garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is cooking, I usually set the table, pour some drinks, and maybe even throw together a quick salad. It’s all about multi-tasking, right?
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Chicken Over Cheesy Cajun Rotini
Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini experience:
The kids love our garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini when I serve it with a side of steamed broccoli or green beans. It adds a little bit of green to the plate and helps balance out the richness of the pasta.
My go-to side dishes that pair with garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini are garlic bread and a simple salad. The garlic bread is perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce, and the salad adds a refreshing contrast.
This garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is perfect for a casual weeknight dinner, a potluck, or even a game-day party. It’s always a crowd-pleaser! If you are looking for something that can please a crowd then I’d also advise you to look at my Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps recipe!
For presentation tips with the garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, I like to sprinkle a little extra cheese and parsley on top before serving. It just makes it look a little more fancy and appetizing.
If you have extra garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat it in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. You can also add a little bit of milk or broth to the skillet to help thin out the sauce if it has thickened too much. My friends always ask for this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini recipe whenever I bring it to a party!
For seasonal variations of this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, I sometimes add roasted vegetables like butternut squash or Brussels sprouts in the fall. In the spring, I might add some fresh asparagus or peas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Garlic Butter Chicken Over Cheesy Cajun Rotini
Here are some common questions I get about this recipe:
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Absolutely! Rotini is my favorite for this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini recipe because the spirals hold the sauce so well, but you can use any pasta you like. Penne, farfalle, or even elbow macaroni would work great.
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese?
A: Of course! I like the combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack for my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, but you can use any cheese that melts well. Mozzarella, provolone, or even a blend of Italian cheeses would be delicious. You know what I do when my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini recipe calls for a cheese that I don’t have? I swap it out for whatever I have in the fridge.
Q: Can I make this dish spicier?
A: Absolutely! If you like a little extra heat in your spicy chicken pasta dish, you can add more red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also use a spicier Cajun seasoning or add a dash of hot sauce. My husband loves it when I make it extra spicy! The spice in the garlic butter chicken pasta is my favourite part!
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes, you can! Chicken thighs are a great alternative to chicken breasts because they’re more flavorful and tend to stay more moist. Just make sure to cook them until they’re cooked through. My family prefers chicken breasts, but I’ve made it with thighs before, and it was still delicious. You know what I do when my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini needs chicken thighs, I go to the store!
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can! This garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is a great make-ahead dish. Just cook the pasta and the chicken separately, then combine them with the sauce when you’re ready to serve. This is especially helpful if you’re short on time during the week. You know what I do when my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is too much work, I do it the night before!
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: While you can freeze this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini, I don’t recommend it. The pasta and cheese can become a little mushy when thawed. If you do freeze it, make sure to thaw it completely before reheating. One of the big things that people ask is about freezing my garlic butter chicken pasta.
Q: How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?
A: To prevent the pasta from sticking together in your cheesy cajun rotini recipe, make sure to cook it al dente and rinse it with cold water after draining. You can also toss it with a little bit of olive oil to keep it from sticking. My feedback about my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini from my blog readers is that the pasta is always perfect!
Final Thoughts on Garlic Butter Chicken Over Cheesy Cajun Rotini
This garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini is more than just a recipe to me; it’s a symbol of family, comfort, and perseverance (remember that first disastrous attempt?). I truly hope that it brings as much joy to your table as it does to mine. I love this recipe, and I have to say that it rivals my Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef recipe!
Here are my garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini Pro Tips:
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Al dente is the key to preventing mushy pasta.
- Grate your own cheese! It melts so much better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with the seasonings! Adjust the Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to your liking.
Some garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini variations that I’ve tried with my family include adding different vegetables, using different types of cheese, and even swapping out the chicken for shrimp. My son loves it when I add broccoli and extra cheese, while my daughter prefers it with shrimp and a little bit of lemon juice.
I encourage you to make this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini your own! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process.
I hope you enjoy making this garlic butter chicken over cheesy cajun rotini as much as my family and I do. It’s a simple, delicious, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. So, go ahead, give it a try!
References:
Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Over Cheesy Cajun Rotini
This Easy Garlic Butter Chicken served over Cheesy Cajun Rotini is a comforting and flavorful weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a rich garlic butter sauce and paired with creamy, cheesy pasta with a spicy Cajun kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- For the Pasta:
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine salt, pepper, and thyme. Rub evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with parsley. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer.
- Add cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Place a serving of cheesy Cajun rotini on a plate. Top with a garlic butter chicken breast. Garnish with extra parsley, if desired.
Notes
Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Cajun pasta sauce.