Description
This Buffalo Garlic Chicken Bites & Ranch Cajun Alfredo Twisted Pasta recipe combines crispy, spicy buffalo chicken bites with creamy, flavorful ranch Cajun Alfredo sauce tossed with rotini pasta. It offers a perfect balance of heat, garlic, and creamy textures that make for an irresistible comfort meal ideal for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Bites
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or chives
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, refrigerate overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Breading and Fry: In a separate bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Dredge each piece of marinated chicken thoroughly in this flour mixture. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
- Make Buffalo Garlic Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter and sauté the minced garlic for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the buffalo sauce and let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Toss the fried chicken bites in this buffalo garlic sauce to coat evenly and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside.
- Prepare Ranch Cajun Alfredo Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and ranch seasoning mix along with Cajun seasoning. Let the mixture simmer until it starts to thicken, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rotini pasta to the Alfredo sauce in the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly.
- Plate and Garnish: Plate the creamy Cajun Alfredo twisted pasta and top it with the buffalo garlic chicken bites. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the tenderness and flavor.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the heat level of the chicken bites.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a thinner sauce.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to get crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil.
