Description
Ready to elevate dinner tonight? This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is a creamy, spicy, and savory dish that feels gourmet but comes together in under 40 minutes. Juicy chicken bites seared in garlic butter meet bold Cajun Alfredo sauce over sauce-hugging twisted pasta like rotini or fusilli. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, indulgent pasta dishes, or easy comfort food recipes, this one hits every mark. It’s perfect for a cozy night in, a weeknight meal with leftovers, or something to impress guests—this is your new favorite creamy chicken pasta dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and pat dry. Season with salt, pepper, and half the Cajun seasoning.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Add garlic in the last minute and toss to coat. Remove and set aside.
3. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt more butter and add remaining Cajun seasoning. Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan and a bit of pasta water until sauce is smooth.
6. Toss in the cooked pasta and mix to coat. Simmer 1–2 minutes to thicken, adding more water if needed.
7. Plate the pasta, top with garlic butter chicken bites, and sprinkle with parsley or red pepper flakes.
8. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Let the chicken rest after searing to retain its juices and stay tender.
Use freshly grated Parmesan to ensure the sauce is silky and lump-free.
Adjust the spice by choosing a milder Cajun blend or omitting red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic butter chicken, cajun alfredo, easy dinner, chicken pasta recipe