Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is a deliciously creamy and spicy dish featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter, tossed with rotini pasta coated in a rich Cajun-inspired Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner with a flavorful Cajun kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, plus more to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Sauce
- 10 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside for later.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally to brown on all sides and ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add Garlic to Chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of butter and half of the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir well to coat the chicken and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Cook the sauce for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the Cajun Alfredo sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Add the cooked chicken bites back to the skillet and stir to combine everything well, ensuring the chicken is heated through.
- Serve: Serve the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken with shrimp or sausage for a delicious variation.
- For a lighter version of the sauce, replace heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
