Description
Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Maple Garlic Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo—a flavor-packed dish that combines sweet caramelized chicken with bold, creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta. It’s the perfect harmony of spicy, savory, and sweet. Ideal for anyone seeking quick dinner ideas, creamy pasta recipes, or a satisfying comfort meal that’s restaurant-worthy but easy to whip up at home. Whether you’re craving a hearty, easy recipe for dinner or impressive food ideas for guests, this one delivers every time.
Ingredients
500g boneless skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons maple syrup
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
250ml heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
250g fettuccine pasta
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Pinch red pepper flakes optional
1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
Instructions
1. In a bowl, mix chicken with maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for 15–20 minutes.
2. Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add a splash of oil if needed, then pour in the cream and Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan and continue stirring until sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Add cooked pasta into the sauce. Toss to coat and add pasta water as needed to thin.
7. Return chicken to the pan or top it over the pasta.
8. Garnish with parsley, red pepper flakes, and a splash of lemon juice if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Don’t skip the marinade—it’s quick but packs big flavor into the chicken.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, more luxurious sauce.
Add a bit of lemon juice at the end to balance the richness of the Alfredo.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: easy dinner, creamy pasta, chicken Alfredo, Cajun chicken pasta, maple chicken, food ideas