Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a delightful and creamy one-pan meal that combines perfectly cooked penne pasta with tender, seasoned chicken strips glazed in a sweet and savory honey pepper sauce. This easy-to-make recipe features a luscious blend of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and Parmesan cream, making it a satisfying dinner option for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil penne pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining and setting pasta aside.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to evenly coat the meat with the spices.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Make Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Honey and Soy Sauce: Stir in honey, soy sauce, and cracked black pepper. Cook the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes until it slightly thickens and becomes glossy.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together to coat all ingredients evenly with the creamy honey pepper sauce. Heat through for a couple of minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful honey pepper chicken pasta.
Notes
- Adjust the honey and black pepper quantities to suit your preferred level of sweetness and heat.
- For extra spiciness, add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sauce preparation.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or warm garlic bread for a complete meal.
