Description
A flavorful creamy skillet pasta with Cajun seasoned chicken, rotini, and a rich tomato cream sauce, perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dry rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for the pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterfly-cut into thin cutlets
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
- 1/4 cup finely minced yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup plain tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Boil a 5- to 6-quart pot of water to a rolling boil and stir in kosher salt.
- Cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, fine salt, and black pepper.
- Sear the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 6 minutes, then flip and cook until the center reaches 165°F. Let it rest.
- Cook the onion in the same skillet for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Build the sauce by whisking in tomato sauce, chicken broth, remaining Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add cream and simmer gently for 4 to 6 minutes, then stir in Parmesan, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Combine sliced chicken and rotini in the skillet, then toss to coat and adjust with reserved pasta water as needed.
Notes
Butterfly-cut chicken cooks faster and more evenly. Don’t rinse pasta to keep the starch that helps sauce adhere.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 49g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, creamy pasta, skillet dinner, quick dinner