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–+ servings

Garlic Butter Chicken

Indulge in creamy cheesy Cajun rotini topped with tender garlic butter chicken. Quick to make bold flavors perfect for weeknights or entertaining. Discover this showstopping recipe now.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 590
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (for chicken)
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (for chicken)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb rotini pasta
  • 6 tbsp butter (for cheese sauce)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (for cheese sauce)
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (for cheese sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (for cheese sauce)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (for cheese sauce)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Boil water for rotini pasta, add a pinch of salt, cook pasta al dente, drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Toss chicken cubes with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet, add chicken, and cook until golden brown. Set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  5. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, whisk in flour to create a roux, then gradually add milk, stirring until smooth.
  6. Once simmering, reduce heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted; season with Cajun spices, salt, and pepper.
  7. Add the drained rotini to the cheese sauce, toss to coat, then plate and top with garlic butter chicken.
  8. Garnish with green onions before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 590kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 32gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1000mgPotassium: 870mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 500mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Feel free to substitute rotini with other pasta varieties like penne or fusilli. For a lighter version, use unsweetened almond milk or swap half the cheese with nutritional yeast. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze individual servings for up to two months. Reheating works best with a bit of added milk to restore creaminess to the cheese sauce.
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