Description
Turn up the flavor with this Garlic Chili Oil Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Charred Zucchini Twists—a bold, restaurant-style dinner that’s easy enough for weeknights. Tender, juicy chicken tossed in homemade garlic chili oil meets creamy Cajun-spiced Alfredo rotini and smoky, charred zucchini with sweet bell peppers. This dish hits every note: creamy, spicy, savory, and fresh. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, an easy recipe to impress, or just food ideas to shake up your routine, this vibrant plate delivers big-time flavor with approachable steps.
Ingredients
500g boneless skinless chicken thighs
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon chili flakes
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
250g rotini pasta
1 zucchini, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks and marinate with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper for 15–20 minutes.
2. In a small pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add minced garlic and chili flakes, and cook gently until golden. Set aside.
3. Heat a skillet and cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Toss in garlic chili oil and set aside.
4. Bring salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve some pasta water, then drain.
5. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add Cajun seasoning, toast for 30 seconds, then pour in heavy cream. Simmer.
6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Toss the cooked pasta into the Alfredo sauce. Stir to coat completely and adjust seasoning.
8. Heat a skillet and cook zucchini and bell peppers until charred on the edges. Season lightly with salt.
9. Plate the pasta, garlic chili chicken bites, and charred veggies. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Make sure the garlic doesn’t burn in the chili oil—golden is perfect.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, richest Alfredo sauce.
Char your veggies on high heat without stirring too much for that deep smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: easy recipe, dinner ideas, spicy pasta, chicken alfredo, quick dinner, garlic chili oil, healthy pasta