Description
This Juicy Lemon Cajun Chicken Bites with Creamy Alfredo Twists recipe brings together tender, spiced chicken breast chunks with a rich and velvety parmesan cream sauce tossed through perfectly cooked rotini pasta. A bright splash of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley add fresh notes to this flavorful and satisfying dish, perfect for a quick and elegant dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound Chicken Breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped fresh
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Season and cook the chicken: Coat the chicken breast chunks evenly with Cajun seasoning. Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken chunks and cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the Alfredo sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring it to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, adjust the consistency by adding reserved pasta water a little at a time.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta into the Alfredo sauce and toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Allow the pasta and sauce to simmer together for an additional minute to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Divide the creamy Alfredo pasta onto serving plates. Top each portion with the juicy Cajun chicken bites. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and garnish with chopped parsley for brightness and color.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity if you prefer it spicier or milder.
- Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce as needed for desired consistency.
- Chicken breast pieces cook quickly, so watch closely to avoid drying out.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
