Description

Craving bold flavor and serious comfort in one meal? These Crispy Chicken Bites & Blackened Cajun Alfredo with Roasted Corn Twists are everything you want in a weeknight dinner or casual date-night dish. Juicy, spiced chicken with a smoky sear meets creamy Cajun Alfredo, roasted sweet corn, and perfectly twirled rotini pasta. This easy recipe is perfect for anyone searching for quick dinners, easy pasta recipes, or comfort food ideas with a Southern twist. Whether you’re feeding the family or meal prepping, this dish hits the spot every time.

Ingredients

500g boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

250g rotini pasta

1 cup heavy cream

¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup roasted corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it rest while prepping the rest.

2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Set aside.

3. Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add roasted corn and let it char slightly for 2–3 minutes.

5. Lower heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream, stir in Cajun seasoning, and bring to a gentle simmer.

6. Add grated parmesan, stirring until melted and smooth. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce gets too thick.

7. Toss cooked rotini into the Alfredo sauce and stir to coat. Fold in chopped parsley.

8. Plate pasta, top with crispy chicken bites, and garnish with extra parsley and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to keep it juicy when slicing.

Use freshly grated parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest Alfredo sauce.

Don’t skip roasting or charring the corn—it adds an incredible layer of smoky sweetness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate (1/4 recipe)
Calories: 680
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 135mg

Keywords: spicy chicken alfredo, blackened chicken pasta, easy dinner ideas, creamy Cajun pasta, roasted corn pasta