Description
This Indulgent Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta Delight is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender, seasoned chicken with a luscious honey butter sauce infused with garlic and Cajun spices. Paired with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta, this recipe offers a well-balanced meal with a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory notes, ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Additional Cajun seasoning, to taste
Pasta & Garnish
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta (or any favorite pasta type)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing chicken)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Salt, for pasta water
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and pat them dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. Let it marinate for 5 to 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water for later use in the sauce.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and sear for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in ¼ cup of honey along with additional Cajun seasoning to taste, creating a glossy, flavorful sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the seared chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. Adjust the sauce’s consistency by gradually adding the reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky texture.
- Finish and Serve: Let the combined dish sit on low heat for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley if using. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra parsley and drizzled with the honey butter sauce for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Cajun seasoning mix.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce thickness for best results.
- Fresh parsley adds a fresh, herbal contrast but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Adjust honey amount based on your preferred sweetness level.
