Description

Craving a restaurant-quality easy dinner that still feels cozy and homemade? These Lemon Cajun Chicken Bites with Creamy Garlic Herb Alfredo Twists deliver juicy, golden-seared chicken tossed with zesty lemon and bold Cajun spice, then swirled through tender rotini in a lush garlic-herb Alfredo. It’s the perfect weeknight pasta: quick prep, big flavor, and crowd-pleasing creaminess.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bites

1 1/2 tbsp Cajun seasoning

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 lemon, zested

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

12 oz rotini or gemelli pasta

1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp chopped fresh basil, optional

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.

2. Pat chicken dry. Toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and half the zest. Rest 10 minutes.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken in a single layer until cooked through and lightly crisp, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

4. In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté garlic 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

5. Stir in heavy cream; simmer gently 2–3 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan until smooth. If too thick, loosen with splashes of reserved pasta water.

6. Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce; toss to coat. Stir in remaining lemon zest, parsley, and basil (if using).

7. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and heat with red pepper flakes.

8. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Add pasta water gradually to create a glossy, stable emulsion.

Adjust Cajun heat at the end with red pepper flakes for more control.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 20
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American; Cajun-Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 1035
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 1250
Fat: 50
Saturated Fat: 26
Unsaturated Fat: 23
Trans Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 64
Fiber: 2
Protein: 74
Cholesterol: 210