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An extreme close-up of honey pepper chicken pasta, showing the glossy sweet and spicy sauce coating a piece of tender chicken and penne pasta.

Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta: A Sweet & Spicy Weeknight Delight

This Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner! Tender chicken and pasta are tossed in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce that's ready in under 30 minutes. An easy, flavorful, and unforgettable meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian Fusion
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken and Pasta
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz penne pasta or other short pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 1 sliced bell pepper optional
  • 1/2 yellow onion sliced, optional
For the Honey Pepper Sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 tsp freshly cracked black pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water for cornstarch slurry
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet or Wok
  • 1 Large pot For cooking pasta

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté sliced onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, and black pepper. Pour into the skillet and bring to a simmer.
  5. Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and 2 tbsp of water. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss everything together to coat evenly in the sauce. If needed, thin the sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: Use freshly cracked black pepper for the best, most robust flavor.
Tip 2: For extra tender chicken, toss the raw chicken cubes in 1 tsp of cornstarch before cooking.
Tip 3: Don't be afraid to customize! Add broccoli, mushrooms, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra spice.