Description
How to make bold sweet honey cajun butter chicken pasta with tender chicken, creamy sauce and perfect spices in one skillet for easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Honey Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Mix all cajun spices in a small bowl, then coat chicken pieces thoroughly. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you prep everything else – this helps the flavors penetrate.
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions minus 2 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. The pasta will finish cooking in the skillet with the sauce.
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan or it’ll steam.
- Make Sauce: Add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in honey, cream, and chicken broth. Let it bubble and thicken slightly.
- Combine Everything: Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Add pasta water gradually until you reach your desired sauce consistency. The starch helps bind everything beautifully.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Let it rest 2-3 minutes before serving to let flavors meld together.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken or it will become tough and dry in the final dish.
- Reserve pasta water before draining – the starch helps create perfect sauce consistency.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your heat preference, starting with less for sensitive palates.
- Let the dish rest 2-3 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness and color – don’t skip this final touch.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 3 days and reheat gently with added liquid.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g