Description
Juicy buffalo garlic chicken bites with crispy edges, paired with creamy ranch Cajun Alfredo twisted pasta—this flavor-packed dish is a spicy, comforting twist on your favorite pasta night meal.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz rotini pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
2 tablespoons chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture. Heat oil in a deep skillet and fry the chicken until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 1–2 minutes. Stir in the buffalo sauce and simmer for another 2–3 minutes. Toss the fried chicken bites in the sauce to coat.
4. Boil rotini in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
5. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add heavy cream. Stir in ranch seasoning and Cajun seasoning. Simmer until it starts to thicken, then add Parmesan and stir until creamy.
6. Add cooked pasta to the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat evenly. Plate the pasta, top with buffalo garlic chicken bites, and garnish with parsley or chives.
Notes
For extra crispy chicken, double-dip in flour after the buttermilk soak.
You can adjust heat by using a mild or hot buffalo sauce to suit your spice preference.
Reheat chicken separately in an oven or air fryer to preserve crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1220mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken, alfredo pasta, spicy pasta, ranch, Cajun, comfort food