Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish combining tender, seasoned chicken bites sautéed in garlic butter with twisted pasta smothered in a rich and spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner with a delightful kick from Cajun spices and a creamy cheese blend.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz twisted pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to be combined later.
- Sauté garlic and chicken: In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute. Add chicken pieces, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm.
- Prepare sauce base: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Make Alfredo sauce: Pour in 1.5 cups heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese fully melts and the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat each piece of pasta evenly with the spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce.
- Combine and serve: Serve the creamy pasta topped with the garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh, flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in both the chicken and sauce.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses provide a creamy texture; substitute with other melting cheeses if desired.
- Leftover dish can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
