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Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists

Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists

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When comfort food meets bold flavor, you get this irresistibly craveable dish: Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites paired with creamy Cajun Alfredo pasta and crispy broccoli twists. It’s spicy, sweet, creamy, and savory—everything you want in a hearty dinner bowl.

This combo is made for weeknights when you’re craving something cozy but exciting. Each bite of chicken is glazed with sticky hot honey garlic sauce, perfectly contrasted with rich Cajun Alfredo spirals. And the crispy broccoli twists? They’re not just a side—they’re a texture-lovers dream.


What Kind of Chicken Works Best for This Dish?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work beautifully in this recipe. Thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving, but chicken breasts are leaner and still soak up the flavor-packed hot honey garlic glaze if not overcooked.


Ingredients for the Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists

Chicken: The star of the show. Choose fresh chicken breasts or thighs for tender, juicy bites.

Hot Honey: Adds that signature kick of heat and sweet glaze to the chicken.

Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is essential for depth and aroma in the sauce.

Butter & Olive Oil: For searing the chicken and creating a rich base for the glaze.

Cajun Seasoning: Provides smoky, spicy flavor to the Alfredo sauce and pasta.

Heavy Cream & Parmesan: For the creamy Alfredo sauce—rich, cheesy, and indulgent.

Rotini or Fusilli Pasta: The twists hold onto that luscious sauce like a charm.

Broccoli Florets: Roasted or air-fried until crispy, they add crunch and balance.

Fresh Basil or Parsley: For a fresh finish on top. Optional but elevating.

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How To Make the Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists

Step 1: Sear and Glaze the Chicken

Season your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Cajun seasoning. Sear them in a hot skillet with butter and olive oil until golden brown. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, then pour in the hot honey and toss to coat until sticky and caramelized.

Step 2: Roast or Air-Fry the Broccoli Twists

Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, a bit of Cajun seasoning, and a sprinkle of salt. Roast in the oven at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes or air-fry at 390°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta

Cook rotini or fusilli pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve a bit of pasta water, then drain.

Step 4: Make the Cajun Alfredo Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in Cajun seasoning. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thick. Adjust with a splash of pasta water if needed.

Step 5: Bring it All Together

Toss the cooked pasta in the Alfredo sauce until well-coated. Plate it with the sticky hot honey garlic chicken bites and top with the crispy broccoli twists. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for color and freshness.


How to Serve and Store Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo

Serve this dish hot, immediately after everything is tossed and plated. It makes a perfect one-bowl dinner or weekend indulgence. Pair with garlic bread or a crisp green salad to round out the meal.

To store leftovers, transfer them into airtight containers. The pasta and chicken will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the Alfredo sauce. The broccoli will lose some crispness but still taste great when reheated in an air fryer.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Yes, penne, rigatoni, or even fettuccine work well. Just choose a shape that holds sauce nicely.

How spicy is the hot honey glaze?

The heat level is mild to medium, depending on your hot honey brand. Add extra red pepper flakes if you want more kick.

Can I make this dish ahead?

You can prep the chicken and broccoli ahead, but make the Alfredo sauce fresh for best texture.

Is there a dairy-free version of the Alfredo sauce?

Try coconut cream or a cashew-based Alfredo if you’re going dairy-free. Just be sure to adjust seasonings.

What if I don’t have Cajun seasoning?

You can make your own blend with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, and thyme.

Can I freeze it?

You can freeze the chicken bites and sauce separately. Pasta is best made fresh, but can be frozen in a pinch.


Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you love this bold and comforting meal, you might want to try these delicious recipes next:


Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go with thighs or breasts? Did you spice it up even more?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.

Looking for more flavor-packed meals like this? You’ll find my daily recipes on Pinterest at Life with Jam.


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Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists

Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites & Cajun Alfredo with Crispy Broccoli Twists


  • Author: Jam Scott
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Hot Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Cajun Alfredo Pasta and Crispy Broccoli Twists is a weeknight dinner that hits every note—sweet, spicy, creamy, and crispy. Juicy chicken is glazed in sticky hot honey garlic sauce, nestled next to Cajun Alfredo-coated pasta and oven-roasted broccoli florets with perfect crunch. It’s a flavor-packed bowl of cozy goodness.


Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bites

1/3 cup hot honey

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (divided)

1.5 cups heavy cream

1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

10 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

2 cups broccoli florets

1 tablespoon olive oil (for broccoli)

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil or parsley (optional garnish)


Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning.

2. In a hot skillet, melt butter and olive oil. Sear chicken until browned on all sides.

3. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Pour in hot honey, reduce heat, and cook until the glaze is sticky and coats the chicken. Set aside.

4. Toss broccoli with olive oil, a pinch of Cajun seasoning, and salt. Roast at 425°F for 15–20 minutes or air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes until crispy.

5. Boil pasta until al dente in salted water. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.

6. In a separate saucepan, melt butter and stir in remaining Cajun seasoning. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

7. Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Loosen with reserved pasta water if needed.

8. Toss drained pasta with Alfredo sauce until well coated.

9. Assemble bowl with creamy pasta, hot honey garlic chicken, and crispy broccoli twists. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

For maximum flavor, let the hot honey caramelize slightly before removing chicken from heat.

Use freshly grated Parmesan to avoid grainy sauce.

Broccoli can be swapped with Brussels sprouts or green beans for variety.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Skillet & Roasted
  • Cuisine: American-Cajun

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 680
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 49g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg

Keywords: Chicken, Alfredo, Hot Honey, Cajun Pasta

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