Description
This Creamy Jalapeño Garlic Chicken Bites with Twisted Cheddar Cajun Pasta recipe is a bold and spicy dinner featuring tender chicken, rich cheddar cream sauce, and Cajun-seasoned pasta. It’s the perfect weeknight comfort food with a kick, combining creamy, cheesy, and spicy elements in one irresistible meal.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 oz twisted pasta (rotini or fusilli)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and season with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat and sauté garlic and jalapeños for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream, deglazing the pan and simmering to slightly thicken. Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
5. While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
6. Add cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat, using reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Serve hot and garnish with extra jalapeño slices or cheese if desired.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor.
Add more jalapeños if you love the heat.
Reserve some pasta water to help create a silky sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 145mg