Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta is a deliciously creamy and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it comes together quickly and satisfies with every bite.

Ingredients

• 8 oz fettuccine (or your favorite pasta)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Season diced chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Step 4: Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Stir in honey and simmer gently for 1 minute.
6. Step 6: Pour in heavy cream and stir until smooth and slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Return chicken to the pan, tossing to coat in the sauce.
8. Step 8: Add cooked pasta and toss everything together until noodles are well coated. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot!

Tips & Variations

• Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste for more or less spice.
• Half-and-half can replace heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
• Pair this pasta with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, feel free to use any pasta you like such as penne, linguine, or even rigatoni. Just adjust cooking time according to the package instructions.

Is there a substitute for heavy cream?

You can substitute half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream cheese for a lighter or dairy-free option, but the sauce may be less rich and creamy.

Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 75 reviews

This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta combines tender, juicy chicken breast seasoned with bold Cajun spices and coated in a luscious honey butter cream sauce. Tossed with fettuccine and garnished with fresh parsley, this flavorful American Cajun-inspired dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American, Cajun

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz fettuccine (or your favorite pasta)

Chicken and Seasonings

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ cup heavy cream

Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine until al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
2. Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the diced chicken breast with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to your preference.
3. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
4. Make the sauce base: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the butter and let it melt completely. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Add honey: Stir in the honey and let it simmer gently for 1 minute to blend the flavors.
6. Add heavy cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
7. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the creamy sauce to coat evenly.
8. Toss with pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to ensure the noodles are well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
9. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve the dish hot immediately.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to increase or decrease the spice level according to your taste.
• For a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
• Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth to maintain the sauce’s creaminess.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or garlic bread to complete your meal.

Keywords: Spicy Cajun chicken pasta, honey butter chicken pasta, Cajun chicken dinner, creamy chicken pasta, easy stovetop pasta recipe