Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta Recipe
A delicious and easy-to-make Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken breasts tossed with pasta in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that balances sweet and savory flavors with a hint of heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey (raw, local preferred)
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- A handful fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225g) pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Prepare and cook chicken: While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Heat 2 tablespoons of 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 pan and set aside.
- Make the honey pepper sauce: Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 3 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce bubble for a minute while stirring to combine the flavors.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the honey pepper sauce. Add the drained pasta along with a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen up the sauce if necessary. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the glossy sauce.
- Finish and serve: Turn off the heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish, and gently toss. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- For extra heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Using fresh, local honey enhances the flavor of the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory contrast.
- Cook chicken thoroughly until no longer pink inside for safety.
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta, chicken pasta recipe, sweet and spicy pasta, honey pepper sauce, quick weeknight dinner, easy chicken pasta
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/honey-pepper-chicken-pasta-recipe/
