Description
Bring bold Southern flavor to your dinner table with this Cajun Chicken Rotini in Creamy Mozzarella Velveeta Sauce. Tender rotini pasta is tossed in a smooth, ultra-creamy blend of Velveeta and mozzarella, and topped with juicy, seared Cajun-spiced chicken. This easy dinner idea is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving comfort food with a spicy kick. It’s a high-protein, crowd-pleasing dish that pairs flavor with convenience—great for anyone searching for quick dinners, cheesy pasta ideas, or hearty food ideas that leave no leftovers.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
0.5 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp black pepper
0.5 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
12 oz rotini pasta
Water for boiling
Salt for seasoning pasta water
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves minced
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
0.5 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional for sauce)
1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and toss in a bowl with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high, add olive oil and butter. Sear chicken on each side for 3–4 minutes until cooked through and browned. Set aside.
3. Boil rotini in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and milk, whisking until warm.
5. Stir in Velveeta and mozzarella. Mix continuously until cheese fully melts into a smooth sauce.
6. Add cooked rotini to the sauce, stirring gently. Use reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
7. Return Cajun chicken to the skillet or plate it on top of the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley.
8. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, spicy goodness!
Notes
Let your cheese come to room temperature before melting—it blends better and avoids clumping.
Cook chicken in batches for better searing and to prevent steaming.
Always save a bit of pasta water—it’s a secret weapon for creamy sauces!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: easy dinner, Cajun pasta, chicken rotini, creamy pasta, Velveeta sauce, weeknight dinner, spicy chicken pasta, comfort food