Description
Make weeknight dinners exciting with this Crispy Parmesan Chicken Bites with Smoky Cajun Alfredo Gemelli recipe. This creamy, spicy pasta dish paired with crunchy chicken is perfect for family meals or impressing guests. Find out how to prep, cook, and store this savory comfort food with ease.
Ingredients
Chicken breast
Buttermilk
All-purpose flour
Eggs
Panko breadcrumbs
Grated Parmesan cheese
Garlic powder
Paprika
Salt & black pepper
Gemelli pasta
Butter
Minced garlic
Heavy cream
Cajun seasoning
Fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and marinate in buttermilk for 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Set up a dredging station with seasoned flour, whisked eggs, and a Parmesan-panko breadcrumb mix.
3. Coat each chicken piece in flour, egg, then breadcrumb mixture.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry chicken until golden and cooked through (165°F).
5. Drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
6. Cook gemelli pasta according to package directions; drain.
7. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic.
8. Add Cajun seasoning and heavy cream, whisk to combine.
9. Stir in Parmesan until sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
10. Toss drained pasta in the Alfredo sauce until fully coated.
11. Plate pasta, top with crispy chicken bites, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
For a healthier option, bake the chicken bites at 400°F with a spray of oil.
Adjust Cajun spice level to suit your preference.
Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum tenderness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg