Description
This honey pepper chicken panini pasta is a fun and flavorful twist on a classic. Juicy grilled chicken, dressed in a honey pepper sauce, is paired with perfectly cooked pasta for a satisfying dish that has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Ideal for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz penne pasta (or any pasta of choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side or until fully cooked through and golden brown. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
- Make the honey pepper sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well. Once the chicken is done, return the chicken to the skillet and pour the honey pepper sauce over it. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to coat the chicken and infuse it with flavor.
- Cook the pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce: In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard (if using), and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let the pasta simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Assemble the dish: To serve, plate the creamy pasta and top with the sliced honey pepper chicken. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
- Serve: Serve immediately, and enjoy your delicious Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta!
Notes
- Make it spicy: If you like a little more heat, feel free to add some red pepper flakes to the honey pepper sauce for an extra kick.
- Substitute the chicken: You can use grilled or pan-seared chicken thighs for a richer flavor if preferred.
- Pasta alternatives: Feel free to swap out penne for other pasta types like fusilli, spaghetti, or farfalle.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American, Italian