Description
A flavorful and satisfying dish featuring juicy garlic butter chicken bites paired with creamy Cajun Alfredo mac and cheese, topped with crispy fried onions for extra texture and taste. This recipe combines tender seasoned chicken, cheesy pasta, and aromatic spices for a comforting meal perfect for any dinner occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 500 g Chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 0.5 tsp Salt (preferably kosher)
- Black pepper to taste
Fried Onions
- 1 medium Onion, thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup Flour
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
Cajun Alfredo Sauce & Pasta
- 300 g Elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta (gluten-free option available)
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese (or Monterey Jack)
- 4 tbsp Butter (divided)
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced (fresh preferred)
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
Garnish
- 1 tbsp Chopped parsley (or basil/cilantro)
Instructions
- Prepare and Marinate Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine chicken with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly, then set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes.
- Prepare Fried Onions: Thinly slice the onion. In a bowl, mix flour and cornstarch. Toss onion slices in the mixture until well coated. Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat and fry the coated onions until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make Cajun Alfredo Sauce: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and stir in Cajun seasoning, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook Chicken Bites: In another skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter with a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken bites and cook 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through.
- Combine and Serve: Mix the cooked pasta into the Cajun Alfredo sauce, coating well. On a serving platter, place the creamy Cajun mac and cheese. Top with crispy fried onions and arrange garlic butter chicken bites alongside. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter dish, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity to control the heat level to your preference.
- Fresh garlic provides the best flavor for the sauce, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Use a high smoke point oil like avocado oil if frying at higher temperatures.
- For vegetarian variation, substitute chicken with firm tofu and ensure Cajun seasoning is vegetarian-friendly.