Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Recipe
This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken with a rich, creamy honey butter sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. The dish offers a delightful balance of spicy Cajun flavors and sweet honey, making for a comforting and flavorful meal that’s quick to prepare in just 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine (or pasta of choice)
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the diced chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make Sauce Base: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Melt the unsalted butter, then add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Honey: Stir in the honey and let the mixture simmer for 1 minute to meld the flavors.
- Add Cream and Thicken Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until smooth. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the creamy honey butter sauce.
- Add Pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to combine all ingredients. Use the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it is too thick, ensuring a creamy consistency.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot. Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning used.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or green onions enhances flavor and presentation.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjusting sauce consistency, so don’t discard it too hastily.
Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, honey butter sauce, creamy pasta, spicy chicken, quick dinner