Chicken Twisted Pasta in Mozzarella Garlic Cajun Sauce

Ingredients:

1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

4 cloves garlic, minced

1½ tsp Cajun seasoning

½ tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for melting over chicken)

1½ cups heavy cream

¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

1¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for the sauce)

2 oz cream cheese, softened

Chopped parsley or dried herbs, for garnish

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini or fusilli pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. Season the chicken strips with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and cooked through.

3. In the last minute of cooking, stir in half the garlic and 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle the hot chicken with ½ cup of grated Parmesan and toss gently to coat. Once the cheese melts into the chicken, remove it from the skillet and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in the softened cream cheese until smooth and fully incorporated.

6. Add the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan, stirring constantly until the sauce is thick and creamy. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes on low heat. If needed, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

7. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently fold it in until every spiral is fully coated. Let it sit for a minute so the sauce clings properly.

8. Serve the cheesy Cajun pasta with the garlic butter chicken strips arranged on top or to the side. Garnish with chopped parsley or a light dusting of herbs and paprika before serving.

Cooking Time: 30–35 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 840 per serving