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A handheld photo of Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta featuring charred chicken and thick orange-red cream sauce.

Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Creamy Skillet Dinner

A luxurious, restaurant-style Spicy Cajun Honey Butter Chicken Pasta featuring al dente penne in a velvety orange-red cream sauce, topped with charred chicken strips glistening in a sweet honey butter glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 685
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb (450g) chicken breast sliced into strips
  • 1 lb (450g) penne rigate
  • 3 tbsp (45g) Cajun seasoning divided
  • 1/4 cup (85g) honey
  • 4 tbsp (60g) unsalted butter divided
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup (30g) fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp dried red pepper flakes

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-bottomed Skillet Cast iron or stainless steel preferred
  • 1 Large Pasta Pot
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook penne in salted water until 1 minute shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
  2. Coat chicken strips in 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Sear in a hot skillet with oil until deep golden-brown char marks form. Remove from pan.
  3. Mix 2 tbsp melted butter with honey. Brush over the seared chicken strips until glistening.
  4. In the same pan, melt remaining butter and whisk in tomato paste. Add broth, cream, and remaining seasoning. Simmer until thickened, then whisk in Parmesan.
  5. Toss pasta in the sauce. Serve in bowls topped with the glazed chicken, parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

Notes

Ensure chicken is patted dry before searing for maximum char.
Grate your own Parmesan for the smoothest sauce texture.