Description
Creamy Jalapeño Garlic Chicken Bites with Twisted Cheddar Cajun Pasta is a bold, spicy, and comforting dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes. Tender Cajun chicken bites top creamy jalapeño cheddar rotini for a flavorful twist on pasta night.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz rotini pasta
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Season cubed chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and sear chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Set aside.
3. Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, add a little more butter and sauté garlic and jalapeños for 1–2 minutes.
5. Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream, stirring until warmed through.
6. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted into a smooth sauce.
7. Toss in the cooked pasta and mix to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine.
9. Let it cook on low for a minute or two to meld flavors.
10. Garnish with parsley and extra jalapeños if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeños or use only one.
Add a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Leftovers reheat best with a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: spicy chicken pasta, jalapeño pasta, cheddar cajun rotini