Description
This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken breasts seasoned with bold Cajun spices, coated in a luscious honey butter sauce, and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it makes a delicious weeknight dinner that balances sweet, spicy, and savory notes with a delightful creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Seasonings
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Sauce & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside, allowing it to cool slightly.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat so it is hot but not smoking.
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper to infuse them with bold flavors.
- Cook Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using, sautéing for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add Honey: Stir in the honey and cook for another minute to meld the sweet and spicy flavors together in the sauce.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the honey butter sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together gently but thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while warm and flavorful.
Notes
- For extra heat, don’t skip the crushed red pepper flakes or add more to taste.
- Using penne or fettuccine works best to hold the sauce, but feel free to substitute with your favorite pasta shape.
- Adjust the amount of honey if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
