Description
Craving something rich, spicy, and comforting that comes together in under an hour? This Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is a flavor-packed dinner idea perfect for quick weeknights or casual weekend meals. Tender chicken bites are seared to golden perfection in a garlicky butter glaze and paired with a creamy, Cajun-spiced Alfredo sauce that clings to every curl of twisted pasta. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner recipes, creamy pasta dishes, or spicy comfort food ideas — this one’s a knockout!
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
8 ounces twisted pasta (fettuccine, rotini, or gemelli)
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
0.25 cup reserved pasta water
Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes and pat dry. Toss with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes.
2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Sear chicken in a single layer for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Lower heat to medium. In the same pan, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes. Return chicken to pan, coat with garlic butter, and turn off heat.
4. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 0.25 cup pasta water, then drain.
5. In another skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. Pour in cream and simmer 3–4 minutes.
6. Add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and Parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Toss drained pasta in sauce. Add pasta water if needed for creaminess. Simmer for 2 minutes.
8. Plate pasta and top with garlic butter chicken bites. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, most flavorful Alfredo sauce.
Don’t skip patting the chicken dry — it helps get that golden crust during searing.
Finish the pasta in the sauce for the best texture and flavor infusion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, garlic chicken, cajun alfredo, spicy pasta