Bursting with flavor and loaded with gooey cheese, Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet is the ultimate one-pan weeknight dinner that will have your family asking for seconds. Imagine juicy chicken, tender rotini pasta, and a medley of melty mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan all wrapped up in a creamy Cajun-spiced sauce. This skillet dinner comes together quickly and delivers that irresistible combination of comfort and a little kick, making it the perfect go-to for busy evenings or when you just need something deliciously satisfying. It’s the kind of dish you’ll find yourself craving again and again, and for good reason!

Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how such simple, everyday ingredients can come together to create something so rich and memorable. Every element in this Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet has a role to play, whether it’s adding creaminess, depth, or a pop of color to the finished dish.

Chicken breasts: Juicy and lean, these are the hearty base for your skillet and soak up all the Cajun flavor.
Rotini pasta: Those fun spirals hold onto every bit of creamy cheese sauce for the perfect bite.
Heavy cream: Adds luscious richness and creates that ultra-smooth, decadent sauce.
Chicken broth: Brings savory depth and thins the sauce just enough so it coats everything beautifully.
Mozzarella cheese: Delivers that signature stretchy, melty goodness we all love in cheesy dishes.
Cheddar cheese: Offers a creamy, tangy sharpness that balances out the richness of the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty kick, taking the flavor up an extra notch.
Olive oil: For sautéing the chicken and keeping everything tender and juicy.
Cajun seasoning: Gives the dish its signature gentle heat and lively flavor.
Garlic, minced: Fresh garlic rounds out the savory notes and makes every bite pop.
Butter: Adds a touch of richness and helps meld all the flavors together in the sauce.
Garlic powder: Layers on more garlicky goodness for big, bold taste.
Onion powder: Brings a mellow, savory background that complements the other spices.
Salt and black pepper: For making every ingredient shine with just the right amount of seasoning.
Fresh parsley, chopped: A sprinkle of green for freshness and color right before serving.

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet

Step 1: Cook the Rotini Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and add your rotini. Salting the water is key—it’s your first chance to make sure the pasta itself is flavorful, not just coated in the sauce. Cook the rotini until it’s al dente, following the package instructions so the pasta holds up nicely when you mix it all together later. Once it’s done, drain it and set aside, so it’s ready when you need it.

Step 2: Sauté the Chicken

While the pasta is boiling, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss your chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, plus a generous pinch of salt and pepper. The spices are where the magic starts, infusing the chicken with zesty, bold flavors as it browns. Cook the chicken in the hot skillet for 6 to 7 minutes—it should be golden and just cooked through. Once it’s looking tempting and just cooked, remove it to a plate for now.

Step 3: Make the Cheesy Sauce

Without even cleaning the pan, drop in the butter and let it melt, scraping up all those tasty brown bits left from the chicken. Throw in your minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute, just until fragrant. Next, pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. The moment you stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, you’ll see the sauce become irresistibly creamy and thick, ready to coat every spiral of pasta.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Now it’s time to pull it all together! Return the cooked chicken and the drained rotini pasta right into the skillet with your luscious, hot cheese sauce. Gently toss everything until each piece of pasta and chicken is enveloped in flavor. Let it all simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes, letting those Cajun and cheesy flavors fully blend and deepen—this is where Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet really comes to life!

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Transfer everything to bowls or serve it right from the skillet for that homestyle appeal. Shower the top with fresh chopped parsley and maybe an extra handful of cheese if you’re feeling indulgent. Serve it up hot, and watch everyone dig in!

How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet

Garnishes

A good garnish can add a surprising punch of flavor and color to your Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet. A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley gives a burst of freshness, while a few extra shreds of mozzarella or Parmesan right before serving will ensure every forkful is gooey and irresistible. If you love a little extra heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes on top is a great finishing touch!

Side Dishes

While Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet is totally hearty on its own, it pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette or a side of garlic bread to help scoop up all that glorious sauce. Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus add a nice veggie balance and round out your meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving straight from the skillet is always a cozy, family-style option, especially on busy nights. For something a little more special, scoop the Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet into individual ramekins and warm them under the broiler for a bubbly, golden finish. Want an irresistible party appetizer? Serve small portions in mini cast-iron skillets or even hollowed-out bread bowls for a fun, hands-on twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The beauty of Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet is that it stores wonderfully for lunch the next day, and sometimes the flavors are even better after they’ve had time to blend. Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just remember to cool the dish slightly before covering and storing—it helps keep the pasta from getting soggy.

Freezing

If you want to keep Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet on hand for a quick dinner, it freezes quite well! Simply transfer completely cooled portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty resealable bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge to keep the texture just right.

Reheating

When reheating, you can use the microwave or a stovetop skillet. To keep everything creamy and prevent drying, add a splash of chicken broth or milk before heating. Stir occasionally as it reheats until it’s piping hot and perfectly smooth again. If using the microwave, cover loosely and warm in 30-second bursts, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While rotini is perfect for trapping all that cheesy sauce, you can easily swap in penne, fusilli, or even elbow macaroni if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if needed.

Is it very spicy?

Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet has a gentle kick from the Cajun seasoning, but it isn’t overwhelmingly spicy. If you or your kids are sensitive to heat, feel free to use less Cajun seasoning—or add more if you love things fiery!

Can I use cooked or rotisserie chicken instead?

Definitely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for busy nights. Just shred or cube the meat and add it to the sauce in Step 4 after you’ve made the creamy base, skipping the sautéing step.

What’s the best way to make this gluten-free?

Just grab your favorite gluten-free rotini or other short pasta. Make sure the Cajun seasoning is gluten-free as well, and you’ll have a gluten-free Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet that everyone can enjoy.

Can I add veggies to the dish?

Yes! Sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or even sun-dried tomatoes are delicious additions. Add them to the skillet just before returning the chicken and pasta, letting everything simmer together so the flavors meld.

Final Thoughts

With its creamy sauce, gooey cheese, and bold Cajun flavor, Cheesy Chicken Rotini Skillet is the kind of dish that turns an ordinary evening into something memorable. Give it a try the next time you want to wow your family with minimal effort and maximum comfort—you’ll be amazed at just how quickly this skillet favorite disappears from the dinner table!