Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Recipe
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.
- 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
