Description

This recipe features indulgent hot honey garlic chicken bites served alongside a creamy Cajun Alfredo rotini pasta and crispy roasted broccoli. The chicken is perfectly coated and fried until golden, then tossed in a sweet, spicy honey garlic sauce. The pasta combines rich Cajun-seasoned Alfredo sauce and is complemented by roasted broccoli for a balanced, flavorful meal perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Bites

1.5 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken (use thighs for juiciness or tofu for vegetarian)
0.5 cup Cornstarch (can replace with rice flour for gluten-free)
0.33 cup All-Purpose Flour (use a gluten-free blend if necessary)
1 tsp Kosher Salt (reduce slightly if using table salt)
0.5 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground is best)
0.5 tsp Paprika (smoked paprika adds depth)
0.5 cup Neutral Oil (substitute with avocado or vegetable oil)
0.33 cup Honey (maple syrup for vegan)
2 tbsp Hot Sauce (adjust according to spice tolerance)
3 cloves Garlic (freshly minced is preferred)
1 tbsp Soy Sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
1 tbsp Unsalted Butter (substitute with olive oil for dairy-free)
1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar (can use white vinegar)

Pasta

12 oz Rotini Pasta (any preferred pasta shape)
1 cup Heavy Cream (full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
1 tsp Cajun Seasoning (adjust based on preference)
0.75 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (nutritional yeast as vegan substitute)
0.5 cup Reserved Pasta Water

Vegetables & Garnish

3 cups Broccoli Florets (asparagus or green beans as substitutes)
1 tbsp Olive Oil (any vegetable oil works)
2 tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley (optional garnish)
0.25 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the boneless skinless chicken dry using paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika until evenly coated to create a crispy exterior when fried.
Fry the Chicken Bites: Heat the neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, frying each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make the Hot Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, remove excess oil, leaving only about a tablespoon. Add the unsalted butter and freshly minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey, hot sauce, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar, letting the sauce simmer gently for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
Toss Chicken in Sauce: Return the fried chicken bites to the skillet and toss them in the hot honey garlic sauce over low heat to evenly coat the chicken and meld the flavors together.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, typically around 8-10 minutes. Reserve half a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the rest.
Make the Cajun Alfredo Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and Cajun seasoning, then simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Adjust the sauce consistency by stirring in reserved pasta water as needed.
Roast the Broccoli: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, then spread them on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 8-10 minutes until tender and slightly crispy on the edges.
Assemble and Serve: Toss the cooked rotini pasta with the creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce. Plate the pasta topped with hot honey garlic chicken bites and roasted broccoli. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes for an extra kick.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Use gluten-free flour blends and tamari soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
To ensure crispy chicken, do not overcrowd the skillet during frying and keep oil temperature consistent.
For a dairy-free option, replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use olive oil instead of butter.