Cheesy Garlic Cajun Chicken Rotini in Velveeta Cream Sauce
Cheesy Garlic Cajun Chicken Rotini in Velveeta Cream Sauce is a comforting and flavorful dish that marries creamy cheese with zesty Cajun spices. This delightful meal features tender chicken and rotini pasta enveloped in a rich, velvety sauce that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. With its creamy texture and mild spice, even picky eaters will be reaching for seconds!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chopped chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook rotini until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Season chicken cubes with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook seasoned chicken until golden brown (6-8 minutes). Set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat; sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour to create a roux; slowly add milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Velveeta and cream cheese until melted; add mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Combine cooked rotini and chicken into the sauce; adjust thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (300g)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 975mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg