Description
How to make Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta with tender chicken, sweet & spicy sauce, and al dente pasta that your whole family will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base & Main Components:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- Flavor Builders:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- Seasonings & Spices:
- 1.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Finishing & Toppings:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Cook penne pasta to al dente according to package directions. While pasta cooks, cut chicken into 1-inch pieces, dice red bell pepper, mince garlic, and grate fresh ginger. This thorough preparation ensures a smooth and efficient cooking process for your delightful meal.
- Whisk Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Separately, combine chicken broth and cornstarch to form a smooth slurry, ready to beautifully thicken your delicious sauce.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside, reserving the skillet for the sauce.
- Sauté & Simmer: Add diced red bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes until slightly tender. Pour in the honey pepper sauce mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry to beautifully thicken the sauce.
- Recombine Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the thickened honey pepper sauce and red bell pepper. Toss everything gently to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated. This step brings back the star of your Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated and warmed through. This brings your incredible Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta masterpiece together, ready for the next step.
- Garnish & Serve: Transfer the Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta to serving bowls. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a fresh finish. Serve immediately and savor this comforting, satisfying meal that everyone will adore!
Notes
Prep all ingredients before cooking to ensure a smooth, stress-free process and prevent burnt food.
Store leftover Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Chicken thighs are an excellent substitute for breasts, offering richer flavor and juicier results.
Pair this sweet and spicy pasta with a crisp cucumber salad and light vinaigrette for balanced flavors.
For quicker assembly, prepare the chicken and honey pepper sauce up to a day ahead.
**Allergy Information:** Soy, Gluten, Sesame