Description

Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender sautéed chicken with a honey and pepper-infused sauce, tossed with al dente penne pasta and finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. This quick and comforting recipe balances sweet and spicy notes, perfect for an easy weekday dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz penne pasta

Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
Season the chicken: Pat the bite-sized chicken pieces dry and season them generously with salt and black pepper.
Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Prepare the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, honey, soy sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to evenly coat it with the thickened sauce.
Add Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan into the sauce and stir until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
Toss with pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and gently toss everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated in the honey pepper sauce.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese over the top before serving hot.

Notes

Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
Ensure the pasta is well drained to prevent a watery sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, quick dinner recipes, sweet and spicy pasta