Description
This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta is a deliciously creamy and flavorful dish combining perfectly seared Cajun-seasoned chicken with a rich honey butter garlic sauce, served over tender fettuccine pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it balances spicy, sweet, and savory notes ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken & Pasta:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz fettuccine (or pasta of choice)
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the diced chicken breasts with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and melt completely. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the honey and let it simmer for 1 minute to meld flavors. Pour in the heavy cream and stir continuously until the sauce is smooth. Allow it to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce to coat well. Add the drained fettuccine and gently toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water to loosen and achieve your desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, optionally garnished with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for added freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute fettuccine with any pasta shape you prefer such as penne or linguine.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your spice preference.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a cauliflower cream sauce.
- Reserve the pasta water as it helps to loosen the sauce and helps it cling better to the pasta.
- Garnishing with herbs like parsley or green onions adds freshness and a pop of color.
