Description
How to make sticky sweet Cajun honey chicken pasta with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfect spices that brings comfort to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 ounces penne pasta or your favorite shape
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Honey Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
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 everything else for maximum flavor penetration.
- Cook Pasta: Bring salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining – you’ll need it later.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan or it will steam.
- Make Sauce: Add butter to the same pan, then whisk in honey, broth, vinegar, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Let it bubble and thicken for 2-3 minutes.
- Add Cream: Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream. The sauce should coat a spoon nicely. If too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to pan and add drained pasta. Toss everything together until pasta is well coated with that gorgeous sticky sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve Hot: Serve immediately while the sauce is silky and the chicken is tender. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and prepare for the compliments to roll in.
Notes
- Don’t let honey cook at high heat or it will turn bitter and ruin the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water before draining – the starch helps bind the sauce to pasta perfectly.
- Chicken thighs stay more tender than breasts in this recipe, but either works with careful timing.
- Sauce thickens as it cools, so serve immediately for the best creamy consistency.
- Double the Cajun seasoning recipe and save extra for future use on other proteins.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten, Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 28g