Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken Prep
01 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
02 -
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (large)
03 -
Salt and pepper as needed
→ Pasta and Creamy Sauce
04 -
½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
05 -
1 tablespoon minced garlic
06 -
1 tablespoon butter
07 -
12 oz of penne or another type of pasta you prefer
08 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional for topping)
09 -
1 cup heavy cream
10 -
1 tablespoon ground black pepper (adjust to your liking)
11 -
2 tablespoons honey
# Instructions:
01 -
Fill a big pot with water, sprinkle in salt, and let it come to a boil. Drop in the pasta and cook it following the instructions on the box until it’s just a little firm to the bite. Save a cup of the pasta water as you drain it, then set the pasta aside.
02 -
Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken. Warm up olive oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Cook each side of the chicken for 6-7 minutes, or until it’s no longer pink inside and reaches 165°F (74°C). Take it out, let it rest a bit, and then slice it however you like—strips or smaller bites.
03 -
Using the same pan, let the butter melt over medium heat. Stir in the garlic for 1-2 minutes until it smells amazing. Mix in the honey and pepper next, letting it gently bubble for a couple of minutes so the honey thickens a bit.
04 -
Pour the cream into the pan. Stir everything together while letting it gently bubble for 3-4 minutes. If it ends up too thick, just splash in some of that reserved pasta water until you like how it looks.
05 -
Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the creamy honey-pepper mixture. Stir until it’s all evenly coated. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Add the chicken slices, mix again, and make sure everything’s combined.
06 -
Split the pasta into servings, sprinkle parsley on top if you’d like, and serve while it’s hot and fresh!
# Notes:
01 -
The sweetness from the honey and the spice from the black pepper pair beautifully, giving it a special taste.
02 -
Try marinating the chicken in olive oil mixed with honey and black pepper for 30 minutes for extra flavor before cooking.
03 -
You can swap heavy cream with half-and-half if you want to make it a bit lighter.
04 -
If you want some heat, toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes.