Description
This easy honey pepper chicken pasta is a quick, flavorful family dinner featuring juicy chicken, sweet honey, and a punchy black pepper sauce tossed with tender pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, farfalle, or spaghetti)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- Salt, to taste (start with 1/2 tsp)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated (optional)
Instructions
- Slice chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry and season lightly with salt and half the black pepper (about 3/4 tsp). Let sit while prepping veggies.
- Slice red bell pepper into thin strips. Mince garlic. Slice green onions for garnish and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
- In the same skillet, add bell pepper and garlic. Sauté 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Lower heat to medium. Add honey, remaining black pepper, soy sauce, and chicken broth. Stir, scraping up any brown bits. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Add drained pasta and 2-3 tbsp reserved pasta water. Stir well until everything is glossy and saucy.
- Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed. Top with sliced green onions and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
For extra heat, add chili flakes or hot sauce. Use gluten-free pasta and tamari for gluten-free adaptation. Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breast. Add extra veggies like spinach or broccoli for more nutrition. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the recipe (1 generous bowl)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 690
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: honey pepper chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta, family dinner, quick pasta recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food, spicy pasta, sweet and spicy chicken, kid friendly dinner