Description
Lemon Cajun Chicken Bites paired with a creamy garlic herb Alfredo sauce tossed with rotini pasta create a flavorful and comforting meal. Juicy Cajun-spiced chicken chunks are seared to perfection and combined with a rich Parmesan and herb-infused Alfredo sauce, making this dish perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (basil, oregano, parsley blend)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to coat evenly.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear them for 4 to 6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the Italian herb blend to the garlic and butter mixture and stir to combine.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. If needed, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and achieve a smooth consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked Cajun chicken bites to the skillet. Gently toss everything together to coat the chicken evenly with the creamy sauce and pasta.
- Serve: Serve the Lemon Cajun Chicken Bites Alfredo immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese improves the sauce texture and flavor significantly.
- Reserve pasta water helps to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture; the sauce thickens upon standing.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
