Description
This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta recipe combines tender Cajun-seasoned chicken with a luscious honey butter sauce, paired perfectly with fettuccine pasta. Quick to prepare and packed with bold flavors, this dish offers a delightful balance of spicy, sweet, and savory notes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into bite-sized chunks)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
Sauce
- 1/3 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
Pasta
- 8 ounces Fettuccine (or preferred pasta)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (for pasta water)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (optional, chopped)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks and toss them with Cajun seasoning. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve half a cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken chunks and sear them for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through.
- Prepare the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add unsalted butter to the skillet with the chicken. Once the butter has melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey and season with black pepper, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken pieces to the skillet and coat them thoroughly with the honey butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the drained fettuccine to the skillet. Toss everything together for 1 to 2 minutes on low heat to allow the pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness, and serve the dish immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer a lower-sugar version, reduce the honey quantity or substitute with a sugar-free sweetener.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Fresh parsley adds a nice fresh flavor and color but is optional.
