Description
Savor the rich and creamy flavors of this Indulgent Tuscan Garlic Chicken Bites with Sun-Dried Tomato Cajun Alfredo Pasta. Tender chicken bites seasoned with Cajun spices are sautéed to perfection and combined with a luscious sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked fusilli pasta. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish offers a delightful balance of spicy, creamy, and savory tastes in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Cooking Fats
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
Pasta
- 8 ounces Fusilli or Rotini Pasta (gluten-free variety optional)
- 1/2 cup Reserved Pasta Water
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season thoroughly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, then let rest for 10 minutes to marinate and develop flavors.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken bites and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet used for chicken, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and pour in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Finish the Sauce and Combine: Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and turns creamy. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to ensure every piece is coated with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Combine Chicken and Garnish: Return the sautéed chicken bites to the skillet and mix thoroughly into the pasta and sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- Turkey or tofu can substitute chicken for a different protein option.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning according to your preferred spice level.
- Reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though sauce will be less rich.
