🍝🌶️🧈🍗✨ Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta Indulge in a hearty and flavorful pasta dish that's perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or an impressive dinner party. Tender garlic butter chicken bites are tossed with perfectly cooked twisted pasta, all coated in a rich and creamy spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce. Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 25-30 minutes Ingredients 🍝 Twisted Pasta: 12 oz (about 3.5 cups dry) twisted pasta (such as rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi) Salt for pasta water 🧈🧄🍗 Garlic Butter Chicken Bites: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces 2 tbsp unsalted butter 🧈 4-5 cloves garlic, minced 🧄 ½ tsp dried oregano Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional) 🌶️🧀 Sauce: Spicy Cajun Alfredo: 2 tbsp unsalted butter 🧈 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for thicker sauce, or use just cream for gluten-free) 2 cups heavy cream 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese 🧀 (plus more for serving) 1-2 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend (adjust to desired spice level) 🌶️ ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth) Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste Reserved pasta water (about ½ - 1 cup) Instructions Cook the Twisted Pasta Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the twisted pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta well and set aside. Prepare Garlic Butter Chicken Bites While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken bites dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet (one deep enough to hold the pasta later is ideal) over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Once butter is melted and sizzling, add the chicken bites in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which will steam the chicken instead of browning it). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning until golden brown and cooked through. Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and dried oregano to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the chicken bites from the skillet and set aside on a plate, leaving any butter and garlic remnants in the pan. Prepare Spicy Cajun Alfredo In the same skillet used for the chicken (add a little more butter if needed), melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. (Optional for thicker sauce): If using flour, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream, ensuring no lumps if you used flour. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low. Whisk in 1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (if using). Gradually whisk in 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese, a handful at a time, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Remember that Cajun seasoning can be salty, so taste before adding extra salt. Combine Pasta & Chicken Add the cooked twisted pasta and the prepared garlic butter chicken bites (along with any accumulated juices) back into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Continue tossing for 1-2 minutes over low heat to allow the flavors to meld. Serve Divide the Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Spicy Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta among serving plates or bowls. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy this incredibly satisfying and flavorful meal! Tips for Success: Spice Level: Cajun seasoning varies in heat. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more to the sauce if you prefer it spicier. Chicken Juiciness: Avoid overcooking the chicken, as it can become dry. Cook just until no longer pink inside. Fresh Garlic: Using fresh garlic instead of garlic powder in the chicken and sauce will yield the best flavor. Pasta Water: Don't forget to reserve pasta water! It's your secret weapon for adjusting sauce consistency and helping the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta. Cheese Quality: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts much smoother and tastes better than pre-shredded varieties.