Description
Looking for an easy dinner that feels restaurant-special? Maple Garlic Chicken Bites with Spicy Cajun Alfredo delivers crispy, juicy chicken glazed in sweet maple and savory garlic, piled over creamy Cajun-spiced Alfredo pasta. It is weeknight-friendly yet bold enough for company—perfect when you need quick dinner ideas the whole family will love. This easy recipe nails the balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy, and it is great for meal prep, too. Save it for busy nights, casual entertaining, or when you are craving comforting food ideas that still feel exciting.
Ingredients
1.25 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
0.5 tsp kosher salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
0.25 cup pure maple syrup
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp soy sauce (or Worcestershire)
10 oz fettuccine or penne
2 tbsp butter
1 cup heavy cream
0.75 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 to 1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
0.5 cup reserved pasta cooking water (as needed)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through; transfer to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds. Stir in maple syrup and soy sauce; simmer 1–2 minutes. Return chicken and toss to coat.
5. In a clean skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add heavy cream; simmer gently 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan, Cajun seasoning, and red pepper to taste.
6. Thin sauce with splashes of reserved pasta water until silky.
7. Toss pasta with Cajun Alfredo. Top with maple-garlic chicken; finish with parsley and optional lemon juice. Serve hot.
Notes
Swap in boneless skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness (cook 6–8 minutes).
Reheat leftovers with a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 800
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 40
- Saturated Fat: 22
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 37
- Cholesterol: 160
Keywords: easy dinner, chicken alfredo, cajun pasta, weeknight meal, maple garlic chicken