Description
Craving a restaurant-style dinner without the fuss? This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is the perfect combo of bold flavor and creamy indulgence. Golden seared chicken coated in garlic butter is served alongside pasta tossed in a spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce—making this the ultimate quick dinner, easy weeknight recipe, or comfort food idea. It’s packed with protein, easy to adapt, and looks as good as it tastes. Whether you’re in need of dinner ideas, easy recipes, or a new pasta favorite, this dish checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces twisted pasta (fusilli or rotini)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Water and salt for boiling pasta
Instructions
1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Season chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and sear for 2–3 minutes without moving.
5. Flip and cook for another 3–5 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
6. In the last minute of cooking, stir in minced garlic and remaining butter.
7. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
8. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
9. In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce heat to medium-low and add heavy cream.
10. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then stir in Parmesan cheese and a bit of Cajun seasoning.
11. Stir until smooth and creamy, adjusting thickness with a splash of pasta water if needed.
12. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat thoroughly.
13. Let simmer for 1–2 minutes to soak up the flavor.
14. Plate the pasta, top with garlic butter chicken bites, and garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, creamier Alfredo sauce.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the chicken—it helps get that golden, crispy edge.
A splash of pasta water can fix an overly thick sauce or help it cling better to your pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: easy pasta dinner, garlic chicken, spicy Alfredo, comfort food, quick dinner