Description
This One Pot Cajun Honey BBQ Chicken Pasta is a sweet, spicy, and savory masterpiece that combines bold Southern flavors with comforting pasta. Tender bites of Cajun-seasoned chicken are tossed with peppers and onions in a sticky, rich sauce made from honey, BBQ sauce, and tomatoes. Topped with melted Cheddar and finished under the grill, this easy meal packs a massive flavor punch in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
The Chicken & Seasoning
- 7 oz chicken breast, diced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (divided use)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (divided use)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano (divided use)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
The Veggies & Sauce Base
- 4 1/2 oz dry pasta (approx. 1 cup; Penne or Fusilli)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic purée (or minced fresh garlic)
- 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
The Cheesy Finish
- 1/3 cup mature Cheddar cheese, grated (approx. 1.5 oz)
- Sliced spring onions (scallions), for garnish
- Dried parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Season & Sear
In a bowl, toss the diced chicken with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp oregano, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a frying pan (oven-safe if possible) over medium-high heat.
Cook
Pan-fry the chicken until almost cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Boil Pasta
While the chicken cooks, add the pasta to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain (reserve a splash of pasta water just in case).
Sauté Veggies
In the now-empty frying pan, add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic purée. Cook: Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
Make the Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add the honey, soy sauce, and BBQ sauce to the pan.
Season
Stir in the remaining 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp oregano.
Simmer
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and let simmer for 1–2 minutes to thicken slightly.
Combine
Add the cooked chicken back to the pan (shred slightly if pieces are large). Add the drained pasta. Toss: Mix well until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated in the sticky glaze.
Melt Cheese
Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese over the top.
Grill/Broil
Place the pan under a hot grill (broiler) for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternative: If your pan isn’t oven-safe, cover with a lid on the stovetop to melt the cheese.
Serve
Garnish with spring onions and parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pan Safety: If you plan to melt the cheese under the broiler, ensure your skillet handle is oven-safe (cast iron or stainless steel). If not, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before the cheese step.
Cheese Choice: Use mature (sharp) Cheddar. The sharpness cuts through the sweetness of the honey and BBQ sauce much better than mild cheese.
Sauce Texture: If the sauce becomes too sticky or thick when you add the pasta, add a tablespoon of the reserved pasta water or chicken broth to loosen it up to a creamy consistency.
Spice Level: The heat comes from the Cajun seasoning. If you want it milder, use a sweet BBQ sauce. For extra heat, add red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: Stovetop / Broil
- Cuisine: Southern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of Recipe
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 78g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cajun chicken pasta, bbq chicken pasta, honey bbq sauce, spicy pasta recipe, 30 minute meals, chicken breast recipes, cheesy pasta bake