Description
Creamy, spicy, and outrageously satisfying—Garlic Butter Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo Mac with Crispy Onion Topping is the ultimate comfort food fusion. Juicy chicken chunks seared in garlic butter sit next to pasta smothered in bold Cajun Alfredo sauce, all topped with crispy onions for the perfect crunch. It’s a quick dinner idea, a hearty food idea for families, and a flavor-packed option for your next easy recipe night. Whether you’re after dinner ideas with a kick or a weeknight crowd-pleaser, this recipe checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
0.5 tsp black pepper
0.5 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
8 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
0.25 tsp black pepper
salt to taste
2 tbsp cream cheese (optional)
0.5 cup reserved pasta water
0.5 cup crispy fried onions
pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. Toss chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl until coated.
2. Bring salted water to a boil, cook pasta until al dente, reserve 0.5 cup of water, then drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken in a single layer, sear 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
4. Reduce heat, add butter and minced garlic, stir with chicken until well coated. Remove from heat and cover.
5. In a separate pot or pan, melt butter over medium heat, sauté garlic until fragrant.
6. Pour in heavy cream, then add Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and salt to taste. Simmer gently.
7. Whisk in Parmesan and cheddar cheese gradually until sauce is smooth. Stir in cream cheese if using.
8. If needed, add pasta water to loosen the sauce.
9. Toss cooked pasta into the sauce until fully coated. Adjust seasoning.
10. Plate pasta, top with chicken bites, crispy onions, and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
For best texture, use freshly shredded cheese—not the pre-packaged kind.
Always add crispy onions just before serving to keep them crunchy.
A splash of reserved pasta water can make your sauce silkier and prevent it from becoming too thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 1¼ cups
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: quick dinner, comfort food, chicken pasta, Cajun Alfredo, garlic butter chicken