Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken and penne meet a creamy honey and pepper sauce in a quick, flavorful dish.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 -
12 oz penne pasta
→ Chicken
02 -
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 -
Salt and black pepper, to taste
04 -
1 tbsp olive oil
05 -
1 tbsp butter
→ Sauce
06 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
1 cup chicken broth
08 -
1/2 cup heavy cream
09 -
1/4 cup honey
10 -
1 tbsp soy sauce
11 -
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
12 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
13 -
Fresh parsley, chopped
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02 -
Pat the chicken pieces dry, then season them evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 -
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
04 -
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding burning.
05 -
Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, honey, soy sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
06 -
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat thoroughly with the sauce.
07 -
Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
08 -
Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet and gently toss to ensure even coating of pasta and chicken with the sauce.
09 -
Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately for best flavor.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to preferred spice level. For a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lactose-free alternative. Use fresh Parmesan for enhanced creaminess. Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days. Avoid overcooking pasta to maintain perfect al dente texture.