Description
Juicy Lemon Cajun Chicken Bites paired with creamy Alfredo rotini pasta create a flavorful and comforting meal. Tender chicken pieces seasoned with bold Cajun spices are seared to perfection and served atop a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce with a fresh hint of lemon and parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Alfredo Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup Parsley (freshly chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 8–10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a cup of the starchy pasta water to help adjust your Alfredo sauce later.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken with Cajun seasoning until fully coated.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer and sear for about 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rotini to the Alfredo sauce, stirring well to coat each piece. Let it simmer for an additional minute. If the sauce is too thick, use reserved pasta water to loosen it to the desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta and top with the Cajun chicken. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in Cajun seasoning for 15 minutes before cooking.
- You can substitute rotini with other short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture in the Alfredo sauce.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
