Description
How to make sticky sweet BBQ Cajun garlic butter chicken pasta with tender chicken and aromatic spices that creates the perfect weeknight comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta Base
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce Components
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Mix all Cajun spices in a bowl, then toss chicken pieces until evenly coated. Let sit for 10 minutes while you prep other ingredients for maximum flavor absorption.
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve 1 cup pasta water. The starchy water helps bind the sauce later.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally for even browning.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to chicken and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
- Create Sauce: Stir in BBQ sauce and honey, then add butter one tablespoon at a time. The sauce should become glossy and coat the chicken beautifully.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta to skillet and toss everything together. Add reserved pasta water gradually until sauce coats pasta perfectly without being too thick or thin.
- Final Touch: Remove from heat and let rest 2-3 minutes for flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra honey as needed.
Notes
- Don’t skip the resting time after seasoning chicken; it makes a huge difference in flavor penetration.
- Reserve pasta water before draining because you can’t replicate that starchy binding power later.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your family’s heat tolerance; start with less and add more if needed.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop and meld together.
- Use a BBQ sauce you actually enjoy eating since it becomes the dominant flavor profile.
- Let the dish rest off heat for 2-3 minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 28g