Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta Recipe
A delicious and easy-to-make Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta combining tender chicken strips with a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and garnished with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
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 & Seasoning
- 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 the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, then set aside.
- Prepare and Cook Chicken: While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, then cook the strips for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 3 tablespoons of honey, 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if using. Let the mixture bubble gently for about a minute while stirring to combine the flavors.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce with Pasta: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss them to coat evenly in the honey pepper sauce. Add the drained pasta and a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with a glossy sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top, and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.
Notes
- Use penne or fusilli pasta for the best texture and sauce adherence.
- Adjust red pepper flakes amount to taste for preferred heat level.
- Reserve pasta water is important to adjust sauce consistency.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice savory touch.
- Use raw, local honey for better flavor and health benefits.
Keywords: honey pepper chicken pasta, chicken pasta, honey pepper sauce, easy chicken recipe, dinner pasta recipe
Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/honey-pepper-chicken-pasta-recipe/
