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A plate of Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta garnished with fresh herbs and colorful vegetables

Effortless Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta: Your New Weeknight Champion

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Effortless Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken, sweet honey, and spicy black pepper in a comforting pasta dish. Perfect for busy families and home chefs seeking a delicious, easy-to-make meal, this recipe takes just about 30 minutes to prepare and cook, delivering a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite type)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper for extra spice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey and a generous amount of black pepper. If desired, add red pepper flakes for extra heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Add cooked chicken and pasta back into the skillet. Toss until well coated with the sauce and heat through for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free pasta if needed to make the dish suitable for gluten-free diets.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
  • For extra flavor, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
  • Author: Emma Bloomfield
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Flexitarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 560 Kcal
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 75g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg