Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Recipe
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.
- 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
