Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)
Creamy chicken pasta with honey glaze, black pepper kick, and Parmesan—comforting and full of flavor.
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 -
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
Salt, to taste
04 -
1 tablespoon coarse black pepper, plus extra for glaze
→ Pasta
05 -
340 grams penne pasta
→ Glaze
06 -
2 tablespoons honey
→ Cream Sauce
07 -
240 millilitres heavy cream
08 -
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
09 -
1 tablespoon garlic, finely minced
10 -
1 tablespoon butter
→ Garnish
11 -
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
12 -
Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
# Steps:
01 -
Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 120 millilitres of the cooking water before draining. Set pasta aside.
02 -
Pat chicken breasts dry. Season generously on both sides with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot and shimmering, place chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear 6–7 minutes undisturbed, then flip and cook the second side until golden and thoroughly cooked. Transfer to a plate and let rest.
03 -
Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add honey and extra black pepper to the pan with the chicken drippings. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes as honey bubbles and slightly darkens. Return chicken to the pan, turning to fully coat in the sticky glaze. Once cooled slightly, slice the chicken into strips.
04 -
In a clean skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in heavy cream, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, and simmer for 3–4 minutes. Incorporate grated Parmesan, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes smooth and silky.
05 -
Add cooked penne pasta to the cream sauce. Gently toss to evenly coat. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to adjust consistency. Divide the pasta among bowls, topping each with sliced honey pepper chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes as desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Short pasta varieties such as rigatoni, fusilli, or fettuccine can substitute penne if preferred.
02 -
For a dairy-free alternative, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast in place of cream and Parmesan.
03 -
Chicken thighs may be substituted for added juiciness.