Description
Juicy lemon pepper chicken bites paired with creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta and roasted red peppers. It’s spicy, zesty, and packed with flavor—perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend comfort meals.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
8 oz rotini pasta
2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)
Salt, to taste
½ cup reserved pasta water (optional for sauce consistency)
Instructions
1. Season the chicken breast pieces with lemon pepper seasoning and a pinch of salt.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
4. In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp butter and garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Cajun seasoning. Simmer on medium until slightly thickened.
6. Add chopped roasted red peppers and Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.
7. Add drained pasta to the sauce. Mix well to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust thickness.
8. Return the chicken to the skillet. Toss everything to combine and heat through.
9. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor—avoid pre-shredded if possible.
Add more Cajun seasoning if you prefer extra heat, or tone it down for a family-friendly version.
For creamier sauce upon reheating, always add a splash of cream or milk to bring it back to life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: lemon pepper chicken, Cajun pasta, creamy Alfredo, chicken bites