Description
Ready to impress with minimal effort? This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Bites & Smoked Cajun Alfredo Gemelli is the ultimate restaurant-style comfort meal you can make at home. Juicy, crispy chicken bites pair beautifully with creamy, smoky Cajun Alfredo pasta—it’s rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor. This easy recipe is perfect for quick dinner ideas, comforting food nights, and casual entertaining. It blends the best of crispy and creamy in one unforgettable dish. Whether you need a cozy weekend meal or a midweek pick-me-up, this easy dinner recipe has your back.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
8 oz gemelli pasta
2 tbsp butter
1.25 cups heavy cream
1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
0.5 cup shredded mozzarella
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and soak in buttermilk for 20 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F (or preheat air fryer).
3. In a bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
4. Coat chicken pieces in the breadcrumb mix and arrange on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20–22 minutes or air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp.
6. Boil gemelli pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
7. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat and stir in heavy cream.
8. Add Cajun seasoning, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth and melted.
9. Toss cooked pasta into the sauce and mix well to coat.
10. Plate creamy pasta and crispy chicken side by side. Garnish with parsley and extra cheese.
Notes
Air frying the chicken keeps it crispy and lighter than deep frying.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking & Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 695
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: easy dinner, Alfredo pasta, parmesan chicken, comfort food, pasta with chicken