Description
Golden garlic-Parmesan chicken bites meet a spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce, wrapped up with creamy spinach and perfectly cooked pasta spirals. This dish is a rich, comforting dinner that feels restaurant-worthy, yet simple enough to recreate at home.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup olive oil (for frying)
8 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
Salt, to taste
3 cups fresh spinach
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 teaspoon olive oil
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken pieces dry. Dip them into beaten eggs, then coat with a mixture of panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken bites until golden and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
3. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and Cajun seasoning. Simmer until slightly thickened, then add Parmesan. Stir in cooked pasta until fully coated.
5. In another skillet, sauté spinach in olive oil until wilted. Stir in cream cheese and salt. Cook until smooth and creamy.
6. To serve, plate pasta, top with creamy spinach, and arrange crispy chicken bites over or beside. Garnish with more Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
For ultra-crispy chicken, make sure the oil is hot enough—aim for 350°F.
You can swap rotini for penne or bowties if needed.
To make it milder, reduce Cajun seasoning or substitute with smoked paprika.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Pan-Fry
- Cuisine: American with Cajun influence
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: garlic chicken, cajun alfredo, crispy chicken, creamy spinach