Description
Parmesan Chicken Bites with Smoky Cajun Alfredo Gemelli is the ultimate comfort food-meets-elevated dinner experience. Crispy, golden chicken bites with a cheesy crust are paired with rich and smoky Cajun Alfredo pasta made with creamy gemelli noodles. It’s bold, buttery, and perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
8 oz gemelli pasta
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or avocado)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces.
2. Set up three bowls for breading: one with beaten eggs, one with Parmesan cheese, one with Panko breadcrumbs.
3. Dip each chicken piece into egg, then Parmesan, then breadcrumbs. Set aside.
4. Bring salted water to a boil and cook gemelli pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry chicken bites until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
6. In a clean skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
7. Add heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer.
8. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan and cook until sauce thickens.
9. Toss cooked gemelli in the sauce until evenly coated.
10. Serve pasta with chicken bites on top or on the side. Garnish with parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture—it melts smoother and tastes richer.
If storing leftovers, keep chicken and pasta separate to maintain the chicken’s crispiness.
To lighten the dish, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and bake the chicken instead of frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: chicken bites, Cajun Alfredo, Parmesan pasta