Description
A bold, creamy, and comforting dish that combines juicy garlic butter chicken bites with spicy Cajun Alfredo twisted pasta—perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites:
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1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
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3 tablespoons unsalted butter
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4 cloves garlic, finely minced
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta:
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12 oz twisted pasta (such as fusilli or rotini)
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1.5 cups heavy cream
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1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
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½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for added heat)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, typically around 8–10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Season them with smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Using the same skillet (don’t clean it—the brown bits left behind add flavor!), reduce the heat to medium. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add the remaining minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, then whisk in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
Continue whisking until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce becomes thick, smooth, and creamy. Stir in the Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss until all the noodles are well coated in the creamy, spicy Alfredo sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet. Fold everything together carefully so that the chicken is evenly distributed. Let the mixture warm together for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Plate the dish hot and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
Cooking Note
Be careful not to overcook the chicken—once it turns golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), it’s done. Overcooking can dry out the chicken and compromise the tender, juicy texture that makes this dish so satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, Alfredo, Cajun, spicy, garlic butter