Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken and pasta in a sweet, spicy honey pepper glaze ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), sliced into thin strips
02 - 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Sauce & Seasoning

03 - 3 tablespoons honey
04 - 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
08 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
10 - Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 9–11 minutes). Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken, season with salt, and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in honey, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let bubble for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the honey pepper sauce.
06 - Add drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed. Stir until everything is evenly coated and glossy.
07 - Turn off the heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and toss gently.
08 - Serve immediately, with grated Parmesan cheese on the side if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey caramelizes into the tiniest golden specks that cling to every curve of pasta
  • That crackle of fresh black pepper hits you before you even take a bite
02 -
  • Honey can go from beautifully caramelized to burnt in seconds so keep it moving once it hits the pan
  • That pasta water is your safety net if the sauce seizes up or becomes too thick
03 -
  • Let your chicken rest for a minute after slicing so it cooks more evenly
  • Taste your sauce before adding the pasta back in sometimes it needs a pinch more salt
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