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Delicious Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta garnished with herbs and spices

Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta

A comforting dish combining tender chicken, spicy hot honey, and rotini pasta, making it a cozy meal perfect for any season.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 oz Rotini pasta Use any short pasta.
  • 2 large Chicken breasts Boneless, skinless; can slice into cutlets.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 3-4 tablespoons Hot honey Adjust to heat/sweetness preference.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • Salt To taste.
  • Black pepper, freshly ground To taste.
Garnishes
  • Parmesan cheese, freshly grated For serving.
  • Fresh parsley, chopped For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions in generously salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
  2. Toss the drained pasta with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking if not combining immediately.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side until well-browned and cooked through.
  3. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Making the Sauce
  1. Lower the heat, add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, then drizzle in hot honey, allowing it to bubble and caramelize slightly.
Combining Pasta and Chicken
  1. Slice the chicken and add cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to combine.
  2. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to help coat the rotini.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley. Optionally, add more hot honey.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth. For freezing, store cooked chicken separately.