Description
A delightful and indulgent dish featuring crispy garlic parmesan chicken bites paired with a spicy hot Cajun Alfredo sauce, creamy sautéed spinach twists, and perfectly cooked fusilli pasta. This recipe combines bold flavors and crunchy textures for a satisfying dinner ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Bites
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
Cajun Alfredo Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan
Pasta
- 8 ounces fusilli pasta
- â…“ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
Creamy Spinach Twists
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Set up Dredging Stations: Beat the eggs in a small bowl. In another bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and grated parmesan.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Set aside to rest briefly.
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat or preheat an air fryer to 400°F. Fry chicken pieces until golden and cooked through—about 3–4 minutes per side in a skillet or 10–12 minutes in the air fryer. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make Cajun Alfredo Sauce: In a pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and stir in Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Add freshly grated parmesan to the sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Cook Pasta: Boil fusilli in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving â…“ cup pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency if needed.
- Toss Pasta: Combine cooked pasta with the Cajun Alfredo sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Prepare Spinach Twists: In a separate skillet, melt cream cheese with milk over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Add fresh spinach and garlic powder, cooking until the spinach wilts and the mixture becomes creamy and well combined.
- Serve: Plate the Cajun Alfredo pasta, top with creamy spinach mixture and crispy garlic parmesan chicken bites. Garnish with extra parmesan and red pepper flakes for an added kick.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use the air fryer method to cook chicken bites.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the heat level of the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps create a silky sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad and crusty bread.
