Description
Craving something that feels like a restaurant dinner but made right at home? This Garlic Chicken Bites & Creamy Cajun Spinach Artichoke Alfredo Pasta is bold, creamy, and irresistibly satisfying. Crispy golden chicken pieces sit atop a bed of Cajun-spiced Alfredo pasta, loaded with wilted spinach and artichoke hearts. Perfect for when you want easy dinner ideas, need a quick comfort food fix, or want to impress someone with a flavor-packed easy recipe. It's the kind of dish that checks all the boxes—quick dinner, weeknight winner, creamy pasta recipe, and bold food ideas all in one.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
0.5 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
0.5 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic (minced)
0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1.25 cups heavy cream
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 cup cream cheese (softened)
1 cup chopped spinach
0.5 cup marinated artichoke hearts (chopped)
Salt and black pepper to taste
8 oz fettuccine or linguine
Salt (for pasta water)
Fresh chopped parsley
Extra Parmesan
Fresh lemon juice
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate in buttermilk with a pinch of salt for at least 15 minutes.
2. In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken pieces thoroughly.
3. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until crispy and golden. Set aside on paper towels.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, and drain.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in Cajun seasoning.
6. Pour in heavy cream, then add cream cheese and Parmesan. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
7. Stir in spinach and artichoke hearts. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Toss cooked pasta in the sauce. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen if needed.
9. Plate the pasta and top with crispy garlic chicken bites. Garnish with parsley, lemon juice, or more Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Always use freshly grated cheese for a smooth and creamy sauce.
For extra crispiness, fry the chicken in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan.
Reserve pasta water to help adjust the consistency of your sauce perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 43g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: easy recipe, creamy pasta, garlic chicken, alfredo pasta, weeknight dinner, dinner ideas, cajun alfredo, spinach artichoke pasta