Ever crave a pasta dish that wraps you in comfort but still brings the heat? This Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta is the perfect blend of creamy indulgence, bold Cajun spices, and a subtle honey sweetness that ties it all together. The tender chicken bites glisten in a luscious, golden butter sauce that coats every strand of pasta.

It’s a weeknight dinner that looks like you fussed for hours, but in reality, it comes together surprisingly fast. The balance of spice and sweetness makes it crowd-pleasing, and the buttery sauce clings beautifully to the pasta for that irresistible first bite.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

For a dish this indulgent, the right tools make all the difference:

Large deep skillet or sauté pan – Perfect for browning chicken and building the sauce in one pan.
Pasta pot – A deep pot to cook your pasta evenly without sticking.
Tongs – Essential for tossing pasta in the sauce without breaking the noodles.
Sharp chef’s knife – Makes dicing chicken into even, bite-sized cubes quick and efficient.
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula – Helps you scrape up all the delicious browned bits for extra flavor.

Each tool ensures efficiency and preserves texture—keeping the chicken juicy, the pasta intact, and the sauce luxuriously smooth.

Ingredients for Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta

Chicken breast – Lean protein that absorbs the Cajun spice beautifully.
Cajun seasoning – The flavor foundation, delivering heat, smokiness, and depth.
Honey – Balances the spice with a hint of natural sweetness.
Butter – Creates a silky sauce and enriches every bite.
Garlic – Adds aromatic depth and enhances the Cajun spices.
Pasta (fettuccine or linguine) – Perfect for soaking up the buttery sauce.
Olive oil – Helps sear the chicken to golden perfection.
Salt & pepper – Simple seasonings to elevate all the flavors.

How To Make the Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Season diced chicken breast generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Sear to Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through, then set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

In a separate pot, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in honey and a splash of pasta water to create a glossy sauce.

Step 5: Combine and Toss

Return chicken to the skillet, add pasta, and toss until coated. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serving and Storing This Dish

Serve immediately for the best texture—garnished with fresh herbs like parsley. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Yes, chicken thighs will add more juiciness and flavor.

Is it very spicy?

You can adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the Cajun seasoning.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, but store the sauce and pasta separately for best results.

What pasta shapes work best?

Fettuccine, linguine, or penne are great for holding the sauce.

Can I add vegetables?

Absolutely—bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini work well.

Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you enjoy this Cajun twist, try my Delicious Beef Bowtie Pasta for a hearty beef version. You might also love the creamy touch in Easy Cajun Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli.

For a one-pot wonder, check out the One Skillet Spicy Garlic Butter Parmesan Steak Pasta or go smoky with the One Skillet Smoky Cajun BBQ Chicken Pasta. If you’re in the mood for indulgence, my Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is another must-try.

Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

Save this to your pasta boards for next time—just click the Pin button.

If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you add extra honey? More spice? Share your twist in the comments. And for more daily recipe inspiration, visit my Pinterest LadyPlate.

Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta

Author: Julia Koch
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

A fast, weeknight-friendly pasta loaded with juicy Cajun-spiced chicken, a glossy honey-butter garlic sauce, and just enough heat to keep every bite exciting. The sauce clings to the noodles, balancing sweet, spicy, and savory in one skillet.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook fettuccine to al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.

2. Pat chicken dry; toss with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 5-7 minutes, turning once, until browned and cooked through; transfer to a plate.

4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet; when melted and foamy, stir in garlic 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Whisk in honey and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to create a glossy sauce; simmer 1 minute.

6. Return chicken (and any juices) to the skillet; toss to coat.

7. Add cooked pasta and splash in more pasta water as needed so the sauce lightly coats the noodles.

8. Taste and adjust: more Cajun seasoning for heat, more honey for sweetness, or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.

9. Finish with parsley and (optional) red pepper flakes.

10. Serve immediately while silky and hot.

Notes

Toast the spices by searing seasoned chicken in a properly hot pan to bloom flavor and lock in juiciness.

Control the gloss with pasta water; add in small splashes until the sauce coats every strand without pooling.

For a richer version, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or 2 tbsp cream cheese off the heat.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Pasta, Chicken
Method: Stovetop, One-Skillet
Cuisine: American-Cajun

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 2 cups)
Calories: 520
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 640 mg
Fat: 19 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 58 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, honey butter chicken, spicy pasta, weeknight dinner, skillet meal