Description

A rich and satisfying pasta dish featuring golden garlic chicken bites served atop fettuccine coated in a creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce with tender spinach and tangy artichoke hearts. This restaurant-style comfort meal blends bold flavor with creamy indulgence and crispy texture for a stunning, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

2 cloves garlic minced

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 large egg

12 oz fettuccine pasta

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

2 cups baby spinach

1 cup canned artichoke hearts drained and chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and a little Cajun seasoning.

2. Whisk the egg in a bowl and place breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dip each chicken piece in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken bites for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.

4. Cook fettuccine in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.

5. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.

6. Add heavy cream and Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. Gradually stir in Parmesan until sauce is smooth and thick.

7. Stir in spinach and artichokes until spinach wilts.

8. Toss in the cooked pasta and mix until well coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.

9. Plate the pasta and top with crispy garlic chicken bites. Sprinkle extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For extra crunch, lightly toast the panko breadcrumbs before coating the chicken.

Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a smoother sauce than pre-packaged shreds.

Serve the chicken on top instead of mixing it in if you want it to stay crispy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 720
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 54g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 165mg

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, Cajun Alfredo, spinach artichoke pasta