Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta is a weeknight dinner stunner that looks fancy but comes together in just 35 minutes. Each juicy, golden-seared chicken bite bursts with garlicky flavor, while the creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta beneath offers the perfect kick. The rotini pasta holds onto every bit of that bold, velvety sauce for an ultra-satisfying plate.

Whether you’re craving something cozy or looking to impress guests without the stress, this recipe hits all the right notes. The balance of heat, creaminess, and savory garlic richness makes this dish an instant favorite. Let’s dive into why you’ll want to make this over and over again.

---

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

• Fast and Flavor-Packed: You get restaurant-level flavor in about 35 minutes.
• One-Pan Friendly: The chicken and sauce all come together with minimal cleanup.
• Customizable Heat: Adjust Cajun seasoning to suit your spice preference.
• Great for Meal Prep: Stores well and reheats beautifully.
• Comfort Food Meets Gourmet: The garlic butter and creamy sauce combo never fails.

---

What Type of Chicken Should I Use?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work beautifully here. Chicken breasts cook quickly and stay lean, while thighs offer more flavor and tenderness. The key is to cut them into even, bite-sized pieces so they sear quickly and stay juicy.

---

Ingredients for the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

• Chicken breast or thighs: Boneless and skinless, cut into even bites to cook quickly and absorb all the garlic butter.
• Garlic: The star of the dish—fresh minced garlic delivers that pungent, savory depth.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and silkiness to both the chicken and Alfredo sauce.
• Olive oil: Helps sear the chicken to a golden crust.
• Heavy cream: Essential for the Alfredo sauce’s creamy base.
• Parmesan cheese: For a nutty, salty kick that thickens and enriches the sauce.
• Cajun seasoning: Brings the heat and boldness to the Alfredo.
• Paprika & chili flakes: Enhance color and spice.
• Salt & black pepper: Balances and amplifies all other flavors.
• Rotini (twisted pasta): Holds onto the sauce perfectly with every spiral.
• Cherry tomatoes: Adds sweetness and acidity to balance the richness.
• Fresh parsley: A fresh finish for brightness and color.

---

How To Make the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta

Step 1: Sear the Chicken Bites

Season the chicken bites with salt, pepper, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear the chicken on all sides until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add unsalted butter and minced garlic. Stir until the garlic is fragrant and just golden.

Step 3: Create the Cajun Alfredo Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Cajun seasoning, chili flakes, and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Add cooked pasta to the Alfredo sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir to coat. Toss in cherry tomatoes and the seared chicken. Cook for 2 more minutes so everything is heated through and the sauce clings to the pasta.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Plate the pasta and top with chicken bites. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra chili flakes if you love heat.

---

How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Serve it straight from the skillet for casual dinners or plate it up for a more elegant feel. A side of crusty bread or a crisp green salad rounds it out beautifully.

---

Best Way to Store This Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Let the dish cool completely before storing. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce. This dish is not ideal for freezing due to the cream-based sauce.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, but you’ll miss out on the garlic butter sear. If using rotisserie chicken, add it during the final step just to heat through.

2. Is there a dairy-free version?
Swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use a dairy-free parmesan alternative. The flavor will vary but still taste creamy and delicious.

3. Can I make it ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and sauce a day ahead, then cook pasta and combine everything fresh for serving.

4. What’s a good side dish?
Try roasted broccoli, garlic bread, or a lemony arugula salad for contrast.

5. How spicy is it?
It’s got a medium kick. You can scale back the chili flakes and Cajun seasoning for a milder version.

---

Want More Chicken Pasta Ideas?

If this creamy-spicy dish hit the spot, here are more Life With Livia favorites to explore:

• Shrimp Broccoli Alfredo for seafood comfort
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta when you want a cheesy twist
• Chicken Rigatoni Alfredo with a baked casserole feel
• Wholesome Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake for a healthier spin
• Creamy Calabrian Chili Pappardelle for bold heat and texture

---

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

Let me know how yours turned out in the comments. Did you keep it spicy or mellow it out? Did you add spinach or mushrooms?

I love hearing how others personalize these recipes. Got questions? Drop them below—we’re all here to make cooking more fun.

For more weeknight magic, check out my daily recipes on Life With Livia.

Print

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?