Description
Savor the rich flavors of our Garlic Butter Chicken Bites paired with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta. Tender chicken breasts seasoned with aromatic Cajun spices are seared to perfection in garlic butter, then combined with creamy Alfredo sauce infused with a kick of Cajun seasoning. This hearty, comforting meal comes together quickly, ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (more if desired)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces rotini or twisted pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Evenly season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper to infuse bold flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until each piece is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic in Butter: In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the garlic butter. Cover and keep warm.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest.
- Prepare Alfredo Sauce: In a separate pan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Finish Sauce: Add the grated Parmesan cheese and additional Cajun seasoning to the cream mixture. Let it simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with the reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Plate and Serve: Plate the creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta and top with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a dash of black pepper. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For extra spice, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning to taste.
- Rotini or twisted pasta works best as it holds the creamy sauce well.
- Use fresh garlic for the best aroma and flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
