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Garlic Chili Oil Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Charred Zucchini Twists

Garlic Chili Oil Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Charred Zucchini Twists

  • Author: Nina Johnson
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sauté
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Garlic Chili Oil Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Charred Zucchini Twists is a flavor-packed dinner plate featuring marinated spicy chicken, creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta, and lightly charred veggies. Perfectly balanced with heat, creaminess, and crunch, this dish is a bold and satisfying weeknight favorite.


Ingredients

Scale

1 lb chicken breast, cubed

2 tbsp garlic chili oil

1 tsp paprika

1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning

8 oz rotini pasta

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 medium zucchini, sliced

1 bell pepper, sliced

1 tbsp olive oil (optional for veggies)

2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste


Instructions

1. Cube the chicken breast and place in a bowl. Toss with garlic chili oil, paprika, and Cajun seasoning. Let marinate for 15–30 minutes.

2. Cook rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.

3. Heat a skillet over medium-high and sear the marinated chicken until golden and cooked through, about 7–9 minutes. Set aside.

4. In the same skillet, add a little more oil and sauté sliced zucchini and bell peppers over high heat until charred but still crisp, about 4–5 minutes.

5. In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, and Parmesan over low heat. Stir until melted. Add pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Toss in cooked pasta.

6. Plate the Alfredo pasta, top with garlic chili chicken bites and charred vegetables. Sprinkle fresh parsley over everything and serve hot.


Notes

Marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes to fully infuse it with flavor.

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream in the Alfredo sauce.

Don’t overcook the veggies—keep a bit of crunch for texture and freshness.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 560
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 690mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 37g
  • Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: chicken pasta, garlic chili oil, alfredo, spicy chicken dinner