Description

This Indulgent Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Pasta is a luscious blend of seared chicken pieces seasoned with bold Cajun spices, tossed in a creamy garlic butter sauce with Parmesan cheese, and served over perfectly cooked twisted pasta. The dish balances spicy, savory, and creamy flavors, making it a comforting yet exciting meal perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 pound Chicken Breasts or Thighs (Use thighs for extra juiciness)
2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (Adjust based on heat preference)
1 tablespoon Olive Oil (Essential for searing)

Sauce

4 cloves Garlic (Minced)
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Can use salted; reduce extra salt)
1 cup Heavy Cream (Half-and-half can lighten it up)
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated; can substitute with any hard cheese)
1 teaspoon Salt (For boiling pasta)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (To enhance flavors)

Pasta and Garnish

8 ounces Twisted Pasta (Rotini or Fusilli) (These shapes hold sauce well)
2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (Chopped; optional but recommended)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning evenly over the chicken to coat all pieces thoroughly, ensuring the spice flavor penetrates well.
Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear them for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through.
Sauté Garlic and Add Butter: Lower the heat to medium-low, add unsalted butter to the same skillet, and melt it. Then add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and allow it to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes while stirring occasionally. Then whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese along with salt and black pepper to create a rich, creamy Alfredo-like sauce.
Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the twisted pasta according to the package instructions in salted boiling water. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the starchy pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
Combine Pasta and Chicken with Sauce: Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the cream sauce and sautéed chicken. Toss everything together well. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water to loosen it up and help the sauce cling to the pasta.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the creamy Cajun chicken pasta to a serving dish. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Using chicken thighs instead of breasts will yield juicier and more flavorful bites.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to control the spiciness according to your taste preference.
Half-and-half can be substituted for heavy cream for a lighter sauce, but it may reduce the creaminess.
Reserve pasta water before draining to help thin out the sauce if needed and improve sauce adherence to pasta.
Fresh parsley garnish adds a nice color contrast and fresh herbal flavor.
If you prefer less heat, reduce Cajun seasoning or omit it entirely and use paprika or Italian seasoning instead.