Description
This recipe brings the best of comfort and bold flavor together: sticky maple garlic chicken bites, rich Cajun Alfredo pasta, and crispy roasted Brussels sprouts. Perfect for weeknight indulgence or impressing dinner guests, it’s a one-bowl meal full of heat, sweetness, and crunch.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
3 tablespoons maple syrup
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (plus more for Brussels)
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz fettuccine or linguine
1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter (optional, for Alfredo)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and Cajun seasoning. Roast cut-side down on a baking sheet for 20–25 minutes until crispy.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with Cajun seasoning.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through.
4. Add minced garlic, maple syrup, and soy sauce to the skillet. Stir and let the glaze bubble and thicken. Remove from heat.
5. In a separate pot, boil salted water. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water. Drain.
6. In a saucepan, melt butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add Cajun seasoning, toast briefly, then add cream.
7. Simmer for 3–4 minutes. Add Parmesan and stir until smooth. If sauce is too thick, stir in pasta water a little at a time.
8. Toss pasta in the Cajun Alfredo sauce.
9. Plate pasta, top with glazed chicken bites and roasted Brussels sprouts. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for best flavor and juiciness, but breasts work well if cooked carefully.
Don’t skip roasting the Brussels at high heat—cut side down gives maximum crisp.
Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste; add more for heat or less for milder spice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: Maple garlic chicken, Cajun Alfredo, crispy Brussels, pasta dinner