Introduction

This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy sauce. The blend of Cajun spices and sweet honey butter creates a perfect balance that’s quick and easy to prepare for any weeknight meal.

Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp honey
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 oz fettuccine (or pasta of choice)
Reserved pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

Step 1: Season the diced chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to ensure even coating and let sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey and cook for another 30 seconds until combined.
Step 5: Pour in heavy cream and whisk continuously until smooth. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat.
Step 6: Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency. The pasta water helps bind the sauce to the noodles perfectly.
Step 7: Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the Cajun seasoning.
Substitute fettuccine with penne or linguine depending on your preference.
If you want a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Fresh herbs like parsley or chives brighten up the dish and add a pop of color.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and proper texture. If using frozen, thaw completely before dicing and seasoning.

What can I substitute for Cajun seasoning?

You can make your own with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme, or use a Creole seasoning mix for a similar flavor.

Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Recipe

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5 from 111 reviews

A flavorful and creamy Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken served with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta, tossed in a luscious honey butter cream sauce with a hint of garlic and a kick of Cajun seasoning.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

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

Prepare the Chicken: Season the diced chicken breasts generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss well to ensure even coating and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes so the flavors can penetrate.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Create the Honey Butter Sauce: Lower the skillet heat to medium and add the butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey and cook for an additional 30 seconds to combine flavors.
Add Cream and Combine: Pour in the heavy cream and whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency, ensuring the sauce coats the noodles perfectly.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for added color and flavor.

Notes

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes along with the Cajun seasoning.
Use pasta water sparingly to adjust sauce consistency; it helps thicken and bind the sauce to pasta due to its starch content.
This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance richness.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce may be less rich.

Keywords: Cajun chicken, honey butter chicken, creamy pasta, spicy chicken pasta, fettuccine recipe