Description
This Indulgent Tuscan Garlic Chicken Bites with Sun-Dried Tomato Cajun Alfredo Pasta is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender chicken bites are seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed to perfection, and combined with a luscious sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce over al dente pasta. Garnished with fresh parsley, this recipe balances spicy and creamy notes for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz fusilli or rotini pasta (any shape works)
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (fresh preferred)
- 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes (can substitute with roasted red peppers)
- 1 cup heavy cream (substitute with half-and-half if needed)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Pecorino Romano as alternative)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (can replace with vegetable oil)
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, omit for dairy-free)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish; basil or cilantro optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, then season them evenly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the chicken marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sauté for 6-8 minutes until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water for later use. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and pour in the heavy cream. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add cheese and seasoning: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese along with a pinch of Cajun seasoning, stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, tossing well to coat all the noodles evenly. Gradually incorporate the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Combine chicken and serve: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and mix thoroughly with the pasta and sauce. Garnish liberally with fresh parsley, then serve the dish hot for an indulgent meal experience.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken with shrimp for a seafood variation.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Butter can be omitted to make this dish dairy-free; use olive oil instead.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be replaced with roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Reserve pasta water is essential to achieve the right sauce consistency.
