Description
Creamy Cajun Alfredo Pasta with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is a bold, comforting Southern-inspired pasta dish loaded with flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe combines juicy seared chicken, a spicy Cajun kick, and a luxuriously creamy Alfredo sauce. Keywords: cajun alfredo pasta, garlic butter chicken, creamy chicken pasta, southern pasta dish, cajun chicken pasta.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast or thighs
10 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a cast iron skillet. Sear the chicken until golden and fully cooked. Add minced garlic during the last minute. Remove and set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic, stir in heavy cream, and whisk until slightly thickened. Add parmesan and stir until fully melted and smooth.
5. Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, coating evenly. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet and combine gently. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
For an extra kick, sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes while cooking the sauce.
Swap out chicken for shrimp or steak for variation.
Freshly grated parmesan melts better and gives a creamier sauce compared to pre-shredded.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Southern-Inspired, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 165mg