Description

Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a sweet and peppery honey glaze, combined with perfectly al dente pasta. Enhanced by garlic, fresh parsley, and a touch of red pepper flakes, this meal balances sweetness and heat in every bite, making it ideal for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
3 tablespoons honey (raw, local preferred)
2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste

Pasta and Garnish

8 oz (225g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
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 about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
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. Add the chicken strips, season with salt, and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 3 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if desired. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken slightly for about a minute while stirring.
Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss them to coat evenly with the honey pepper sauce. Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed. Stir everything together until the chicken and pasta are well coated with the glossy sauce.
Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top of the pasta and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, with grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

Notes

You can use penne or fusilli pasta for best results, as they hold the sauce well.
Adjust the amount of black and red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without thinning flavor.
Use raw, local honey for a richer, more complex sweetness.
Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a lovely savory finish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta, chicken pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner, honey pepper sauce, quick pasta dish, weeknight dinner