Description
This Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta is a cozy, flavor-packed dinner that blends sweet honey, bold black pepper, and creamy Parmesan sauce over tender pasta and juicy chicken. Ready in under 45 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners that feel a little extra special.
Ingredients
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt, to taste
For the Pasta:
12 oz penne pasta (or your choice of pasta)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: In the same skillet, lower the heat and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add honey, soy sauce, and black pepper. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted water per package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Make the Cream Sauce: In a new pan, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add heavy cream and bring to a light simmer. Stir in Parmesan and basil until melted. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
Combine: Slice chicken and toss it into the honey pepper sauce. Add chicken to the cream sauce with cooked pasta. Mix until evenly coated.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Enjoy warm!
Notes
Swap penne with bowtie, rotini, or fettuccine if desired.
For extra spice, sprinkle in red pepper flakes.
Leftovers? Add a splash of milk when reheating to revive the creaminess.
Rotisserie chicken works as a quick shortcut!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg