Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta recipe combines tender, juicy chicken bites sautéed in garlic butter with a creamy, spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce tossed with perfectly cooked rotini pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting and flavorful dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that delivers a satisfying kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bites
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (divided, adjust to taste)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
Pasta & Sauce
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5–7 minutes until they are golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic in butter: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 1–2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Toss chicken in garlic butter: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the garlic butter mixture to coat well. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare Cajun Alfredo sauce: In a separate skillet, pour in the heavy cream and heat to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the Cajun Alfredo sauce and toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Combine and serve: Plate the pasta coated in Cajun Alfredo sauce and top with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs based on your preference; thighs offer more juiciness.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and offers superior flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Make sure not to overcook the garlic in butter to avoid bitterness.
- Parsley garnish is optional but adds a fresh touch and color contrast.
