Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta

When you’re craving something cozy, bold, and just a little indulgent, this Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken & Pasta hits all the right notes. It’s rich and creamy, with juicy bites of Cajun-spiced chicken glazed in sweet honey butter—and it all comes together with a perfectly spiced Parmesan cream sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. Trust me, this is one of those recipes you’ll come back to when you want a meal that feels a little fancy, but without a ton of fuss.

This is the kind of dish I like to whip up when I want to impress but also don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. The whole thing takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish, but tastes like something you’d get from a restaurant that knows its way around Southern comfort food. And that little hint of sweetness from the honey butter? It’s what takes this from good to unforgettable.

Let’s dive into the first part of this delicious recipe and get started on building all that creamy, spicy, buttery goodness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to bring this recipe to life:

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Honey Butter Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional – only if you like a little extra heat)

For the Pasta:

• 8 ounces of penne or fettuccine pasta

• Salted water for boiling

For the Creamy Cajun Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

• Salt and pepper, to taste

To Finish:

• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

STEP 1: Boil the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta of choice—penne or fettuccine both work great—and cook until al dente, according to package directions. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it well and set it aside. Don’t rinse it—you want that starchy coating so the sauce sticks better later on.

STEP 2: Season and Cook the Chicken

While the pasta’s going, go ahead and prep your chicken. In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with the olive oil, Cajun seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Make sure the pieces are evenly coated—that seasoning is where all the flavor starts.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the chicken and let it cook for 5 to 7 minutes. You want the chicken to get a beautiful golden-brown crust while cooking all the way through. Stir occasionally, but let it sit undisturbed in the pan for a minute or two at a time so it browns nicely.

STEP 3: Glaze the Chicken with Honey Butter

Once the chicken is cooked through, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter and honey right into the skillet. Stir everything together until the butter melts and coats the chicken in that sticky, golden glaze.

If you’re someone who likes things on the spicier side, now’s the time to toss in the crushed red pepper flakes. It adds a slow-building heat that pairs so well with the sweetness of the honey and richness of the butter.

After a minute or two, when the glaze has thickened slightly and coated all the chicken pieces, go ahead and remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. You’ll be bringing it back in later—but for now, you need that skillet to build your creamy Cajun sauce.

Now that your pasta is perfectly cooked and your chicken is glazed in that irresistible honey butter coating, it’s time to bring everything together. The next step is building the creamy Cajun sauce—one of the most comforting, velvety sauces you’ll ever taste. It’s rich but balanced, with a subtle kick from the Cajun seasoning and a cheesy finish that melts right into the pasta.

This part of the recipe is all about pulling those bold flavors together in one pan and transforming the dish into something that feels extra indulgent—but still totally manageable for a weeknight dinner.

Let’s get right back into it and make this pasta dream come true.

STEP 4: Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce

Without even cleaning the skillet (yes, leave those flavorful bits from the chicken right in there!), melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted and sizzling, add your minced garlic. Let it cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute—just until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to brown it, though. You want that mellow garlic flavor, not bitterness.

Next, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t scorch or boil over. Once it starts to bubble lightly around the edges, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Cajun seasoning.

Let everything simmer together for about 2 to 3 minutes, just until the sauce begins to thicken slightly. You’re not going for super thick here—just enough so that it coats the back of a spoon. Add salt and black pepper to taste, and give it one last stir.

Tip: If you want a smoother sauce, grate your Parmesan fresh—it melts better than the pre-shredded kind and gives the sauce a silkier texture.

STEP 5: Combine the Pasta and Chicken

Once your sauce is just right, add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet. Use tongs or a spoon to toss the pasta and get it evenly coated with that creamy Cajun goodness.

Now comes the best part—return the honey butter chicken to the skillet. Stir it all together so the sticky chicken, pasta, and sauce are completely combined. The sweetness from the honey glaze will start to mingle with the savory, spiced sauce, and that’s where the magic happens.

Let it cook for another minute or two, just to heat everything through and let the flavors really come together.

STEP 6: Garnish and Serve

Once everything is combined and piping hot, remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley. It adds a pop of color and a bit of freshness that really ties the whole dish together.

You can serve this right out of the skillet (less dishes!) or portion it onto plates. It’s rich, filling, and full of bold flavor, so a little goes a long way.

Serving suggestions:

• Pair it with a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the richness.

• A slice of warm garlic bread or a soft dinner roll on the side is perfect for mopping up any extra sauce.

• Add a splash of lemon juice if you want a bit of brightness to cut the creaminess.

Tips & Variations

Want to make it your own? Here are a few ways to switch it up:

• Protein Swap: Try this with shrimp, salmon, or even thin-sliced steak if you’re not in the mood for chicken. The honey butter glaze works beautifully on almost anything.

• More Veggies: Add sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for extra nutrition and texture. Stir them in right before adding the sauce.

• Lighter Option: You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to lighten it up a bit. Just note that the sauce won’t be quite as thick or rich.