Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

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This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is everything you want in a comfort food meal—creamy, spicy, buttery, and loaded with flavor. The juicy, golden-seared chicken bites are coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, then nestled atop a bed of creamy Cajun Alfredo twisted pasta. It’s a weeknight dinner that feels like restaurant-quality indulgence.

The contrast of buttery chicken with the creamy spice of the Cajun Alfredo sauce creates the perfect balance of richness and heat. This dish is bold yet familiar, thanks to its garlicky backbone and cheesy pasta base. The twisted rotini not only holds the sauce beautifully but adds a fun texture to every bite.


What Kind of Pasta Works Best for Cajun Alfredo?

Twisted rotini is ideal for this recipe because the grooves and curves catch all the creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce. However, you can easily substitute with penne, fusilli, or even fettuccine if needed. Just aim for pasta that can hold sauce well to get the full flavor experience in every bite.


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Ingredients for the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken provides the juicy protein base for our seared garlic butter bites.

Garlic Butter: A must-have for richness and aroma. Melted butter and fresh garlic take center stage in flavoring the chicken.

Cajun Seasoning: Brings that spicy Southern kick and depth of flavor to both the chicken and Alfredo sauce.

Heavy Cream: Forms the creamy body of the Alfredo, blending with Parmesan and seasoning for that velvety finish.

Parmesan Cheese: Gives the sauce its cheesy, salty character that balances the heat from the Cajun spices.

Twisted Pasta (Rotini): Perfect for catching every bit of sauce with its spiral shape.

Olive Oil: Helps sear the chicken bites to golden perfection while keeping them moist.

Fresh Parsley (optional): Adds a touch of color and a fresh bite to finish the dish.


How To Make the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

Step 1: Sear the Chicken Bites

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes. Return the seared chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the twisted pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 4: Create the Cajun Alfredo Sauce

In a clean skillet, pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer on medium-low heat. Stir in more Cajun seasoning (to taste), followed by the Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Add the cooked pasta into the Cajun Alfredo sauce, tossing to coat. Top with garlic butter chicken bites and give it a gentle mix. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.


Serving and Storing the Dish

Serve this dish hot straight from the skillet for the ultimate creamy experience. It pairs well with crusty garlic bread or a fresh green salad for balance.

For storage, transfer leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream to bring the sauce back to life and microwave or reheat gently on the stovetop.


Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is this dish?

The Cajun seasoning adds a medium level of heat, but you can adjust it easily. For a milder version, reduce the amount or use a mild Cajun blend.

Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce?

Yes, you can swap in store-bought Alfredo sauce and simply stir in Cajun seasoning to taste. However, making it from scratch offers a creamier, more flavorful result.

What’s the best chicken to use?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs offer the most flavor and tenderness, but breasts will also work well if preferred.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare components ahead—store cooked chicken and Alfredo sauce separately, then reheat and combine when ready to serve.

Is this dish freezer-friendly?

It’s not the best for freezing due to the creamy sauce, which can separate. If needed, freeze just the chicken and cook fresh pasta and sauce when ready.

What veggies go well with it?

Broccoli, bell peppers, or spinach make great additions to the dish if you want extra texture or nutrition.


Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you loved these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Cajun Alfredo, you’ll definitely want to check out more cozy, satisfying dinners like these:


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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Life with Nina Recipes on Pinterest.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out! Did you go bold with the Cajun spice or keep it on the mild side? Did you sneak in some veggies?

I love hearing how you make these dishes your own. Got questions or tweaks? Drop them below and let’s keep cooking better together.


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Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

  • Author: Nina Johnson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Cajun

Description

A bold and comforting dinner featuring golden-seared garlic butter chicken bites served over creamy, spicy Cajun Alfredo twisted rotini. This dish balances richness with a subtle kick of heat and a cheesy finish—perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal or an indulgent weekend dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bites

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

12 ounces rotini pasta

Salt, to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)


Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Cajun seasoning.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

4. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss in the garlic butter. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

6. In a separate skillet, add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.

7. Add cooked pasta to the Cajun Alfredo sauce and toss to coat evenly.

8. Top with garlic butter chicken bites and garnish with parsley if desired. Serve warm.


Notes

For extra creaminess, add a splash of pasta water to the Alfredo sauce while mixing.

Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother, richer texture.

To tone down the heat, reduce Cajun seasoning or use a mild version.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 670mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: chicken pasta, garlic butter, Cajun Alfredo, creamy pasta

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