Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta Recipe
Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a flavorful honey and cracked black pepper sauce, combined with perfectly al dente pasta. This dish balances a sweet and spicy glaze with savory garlic and fresh parsley, making it a comforting yet vibrant dinner option that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- 3 tablespoons honey (raw, local preferred)
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
Garnish
- A handful fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Meanwhile, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips, season with salt, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant. Stir in the honey, freshly cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture bubble and thicken slightly while stirring for about one minute.
- Toss Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat thoroughly with the honey pepper sauce. Add the cooked pasta along with a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed. Stir everything until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with a glossy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and toss gently. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a perfect gloss and coating.
- Use freshly cracked black pepper for the best flavor impact.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier texture if preferred.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: honey pepper chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta, sweet and spicy chicken, weeknight pasta recipe, quick chicken dinner
Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/honey-pepper-chicken-pasta-recipe/
