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Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 97 reviews

Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a sweet and peppery honey sauce, tossed with al dente pasta and garnished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese. This recipe combines savory, sweet, and spicy elements for a balanced and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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

  1. 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 and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
  2. Prepare the 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. Season the chicken strips with salt and cook them for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the honey pepper sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. 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 frequently to combine the flavors.
  4. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss them thoroughly to coat in the honey pepper sauce evenly.
  5. Finish the pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir everything together so the pasta is coated with the glossy honey pepper sauce and the chicken pieces are well distributed.
  6. Garnish and serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the pasta. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately. Offer grated Parmesan cheese on the side for those who wish to add a cheesy finish.

Notes

  • Use raw, local honey if possible for the best flavor in the sauce.
  • Adjust the amount of black pepper and red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference.
  • Reserving pasta water is key to achieving the perfect sauce consistency — add it gradually until you reach your desired texture.
  • Chicken can be replaced with turkey strips or tofu for variations.
  • Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice salty, nutty flavor to complement the sweet and peppery sauce.

Find it online: https://mealsbykate.com/honey-pepper-chicken-pasta-recipe/