Description
A comforting yet lively pasta dish that combines spicy Cajun seasoning with sweet honey and a creamy sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine (or your favorite pasta)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add fettuccine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Set the pasta aside.
- Pat the diced chicken dry with paper towels; this helps it brown. Toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer—don’t overcrowd the pan. Sear for 6–8 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. When melted, add minced garlic and sauté 20–30 seconds until fragrant—avoid browning the garlic.
- Stir in the honey and let it simmer for about 1 minute to marry the flavors.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 1–2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce; heat through for about 1 minute.
- Add the drained pasta to the pan and toss to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach a glossy, clingy consistency.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Adjust heat level by modifying Cajun seasoning to suit your preference.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Cajun