Description
These Maple Garlic Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo deliver the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Tender chicken breast is glazed in a garlicky maple reduction and served alongside creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta. It’s a standout dinner that looks fancy but comes together easily—perfect for weeknights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter (divided)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 oz fettuccine or linguine
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Toss cubed chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add maple syrup, stir, and simmer until slightly thickened. Return chicken to pan and toss to glaze. Set aside.
4. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
5. In a saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add garlic and sauté briefly. Stir in heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Simmer gently.
6. Add Parmesan and stir until melted and creamy. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Toss cooked pasta in the Cajun Alfredo sauce.
8. Plate pasta with glazed chicken bites. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Let the maple garlic glaze thicken slightly before returning the chicken to coat for best stickiness.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for better melting and flavor.
Adjust Cajun spice based on your heat preference—mild or bold!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: maple garlic chicken, Cajun Alfredo, spicy chicken pasta