Description
Craving a bold, comforting, and creamy dish that doesn’t take forever to cook? These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites with Hot Cajun Alfredo & Crispy Spinach Twists combine crispy, juicy chicken with a spicy, velvety Alfredo pasta, plus rich garlic spinach for balance. It’s the kind of recipe that works for a cozy night in or an impressive dinner idea with friends. This easy dinner recipe covers everything—from crunch to cream—with minimal effort. Perfect for anyone looking for quick dinner ideas, satisfying food ideas, or a healthy-ish comfort meal.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz rotini pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
3 cups fresh spinach
1 tablespoon butter (for spinach)
1 clove garlic (for spinach)
2 tablespoons heavy cream (for spinach)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks and pat dry.
2. Mix panko, 1 cup Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs in another bowl. Dip chicken in egg, then breadcrumb mixture to coat.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry chicken bites until golden and cooked through, 3–4 minutes per side. Or bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–20 minutes, flipping once.
5. Boil pasta until al dente, reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
6. In a separate pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
7. Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in ½ cup Parmesan and Cajun seasoning. Cook until thickened, 5–7 minutes.
8. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss. Use pasta water to loosen if needed.
9. In another pan, sauté spinach with 1 tbsp butter until wilted.
10. Add garlic and cream, cooking for 1–2 minutes until creamy. Season lightly.
11. To serve, layer pasta, spoon over spinach, and top with crispy chicken bites. Garnish with red pepper flakes or parsley if desired.
Notes
Double dredge the chicken for an extra-crispy bite.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, rich Alfredo sauce.
Don’t let the sauce boil—gentle simmering keeps it creamy and stable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Skillet
- Cuisine: American with Cajun twist
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, cajun pasta, garlic chicken, comfort food, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, spicy Alfredo