Introduction

This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta combines tender, seasoned chicken with a rich, creamy honey butter sauce. Balanced with a hint of sweetness and a spicy kick, it’s a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

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: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. 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 along with the Cajun seasoning.
Swap fettuccine for penne, linguine, or even gluten-free pasta to suit your preference.
If you prefer a lighter sauce, reduce the amount of heavy cream or substitute half with chicken broth.
Use fresh garlic for best flavor, but garlic powder can work in a pinch.

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 water to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and add extra juiciness. Adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half, whole milk with a bit of butter, or coconut cream as substitutes. Keep in mind these may alter the sauce’s richness and flavor slightly.

Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 79 reviews

This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta recipe features tender diced chicken breasts seasoned with flavorful Cajun spices, seared to perfection, and tossed in a rich, creamy honey butter sauce. Combined with perfectly cooked fettuccine, this dish delivers a comforting yet spicy meal with a luscious sauce that clings beautifully to every bite. Perfect for dinner when you want a quick, satisfying, and gourmet-feeling pasta dish that’s both sweet and spicy.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 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 thoroughly to coat evenly and let sit for 5 minutes to allow the spices to penetrate the meat for maximum flavor.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water for later use to help adjust sauce consistency. Drain pasta and set aside.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pieces are golden brown and cooked through reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Create the Honey Butter Sauce: Lower the heat to medium in the same skillet and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey and cook for an additional 30 seconds to blend the flavors.
Add Cream and Combine: Pour in the heavy cream and whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it to coat fully in the sauce.
Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Mix everything together thoroughly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and get the perfect creamy consistency that clings to the pasta.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or chives for a fresh pop of color and flavor.

Notes

Use freshly diced chicken breasts for best texture even in bite-sized pieces.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning if you prefer less or more heat.
Reserved pasta water helps to bind the sauce and pasta perfectly without thinning it out too much.
Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may result in less thickness.
Garnish with fresh herbs to add brightness and a fresh herbal note to the spicy, creamy dish.

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta, spicy honey butter chicken, creamy fettuccine recipe, easy dinner, one pan chicken pasta, Cajun seasoning meal, honey butter sauce pasta