Description
Bold, spicy, and irresistibly creamy, this Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists is your new weeknight dinner obsession. Perfect for when you’re craving something indulgent yet balanced, this recipe combines sweet-and-spicy glazed chicken, smoky Cajun Alfredo pasta, and oven-roasted broccoli for the ultimate flavor combo. Great for quick dinners, meal prep, or when you’re in need of fresh dinner ideas or easy recipes that still feel special. With all the layers—heat, creaminess, crispiness—this dish hits every note.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast or thighs
3 tbsp honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp hot sauce
4 tbsp butter, divided
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
8 oz rotini pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and optional paprika. Sear in a hot pan with olive oil until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
2. In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in honey and hot sauce, simmer for 2–3 minutes, then toss chicken back in to coat.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
4. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss broccoli with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Roast on a sheet pan for 18–20 minutes until crispy.
5. In a clean skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter. Stir in Cajun seasoning. Add cream and simmer for 3–4 minutes. Stir in Parmesan until smooth. Mix in pasta and a bit of pasta water to loosen if needed.
6. Plate Alfredo pasta, top with hot honey garlic chicken bites, and serve with crispy roasted broccoli. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
Always reserve some pasta water—it helps adjust the consistency of your Alfredo sauce without thinning the flavor.
For extra crispy broccoli, avoid overcrowding the pan and roast at high heat.
To save time, prep your sauce ingredients and chop everything before you start cooking—mise en place matters.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Oven
- Cuisine: Fusion (Southern-inspired)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1½ cups
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken, Cajun Alfredo, quick dinner, easy recipe, food ideas, chicken pasta, crispy broccoli