Description
A craveable, quick dinner idea that marries juicy jalapeño‑garlic chicken bites with twisted rotini in a silky Cajun cheddar cream sauce. This easy recipe checks every comfort‑food box while staying weeknight‑friendly—perfect for busy nights, cozy date dinners, or bold breakfast‑for‑dinner cravings. If you’re hunting for quick breakfast or brunch leftovers, easy dinner, healthy snack energy, breakfast ideas, dinner ideas, easy recipe keepers, or food ideas to wow guests, this creamy chicken pasta delivers big flavor fast.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
12 oz rotini pasta
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk, warmed
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tsp Cajun seasoning (additional)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Fresh red chili slices (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry; toss with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium‑high; sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Boil rotini in salted water until just shy of al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium; sauté garlic and jalapeño 1–2 minutes. Stir in flour; cook 1 minute.
5. Slowly whisk in warm milk and then cream; simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Off heat to low, whisk in cheddar and Parmesan until smooth. Stir in additional Cajun seasoning and optional red pepper; season to taste.
7. Toss pasta with sauce, loosening with splashes of reserved pasta water as needed.
8. Plate pasta, top with chicken bites, garnish with herbs and optional chili slices. Serve immediately.
Notes
Grate cheddar fresh for the smoothest, silkiest sauce.
Keep the dairy at a gentle simmer—boiling can cause splitting.
Save pasta water to fine‑tune sauce consistency without dulling flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-inspired American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 17
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 135
Keywords: creamy jalapeño garlic chicken, cajun pasta, cheddar pasta, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, quick pasta, spicy pasta, chicken pasta, comfort food, easy recipe, dinner ideas, breakfast ideas, food ideas