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Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 52 reviews

This Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta is a flavorful and satisfying dish combining tender grilled chicken with a creamy, honey-pepper infused sauce over perfectly cooked pasta. The recipe balances sweet, tangy, and spicy notes in an easy-to-make meal ideal for lunch or dinner, garnished with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Pasta:

  • 12 ounces (340 grams) penne or fusilli pasta

Seasonings and Sauces:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Honey-Pepper Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, cracked black pepper, and salt until well combined to create a zesty marinade.
  2. Season the Chicken: Season the boneless chicken breasts evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring thorough coverage of both sides.
  3. Heat the Oil and Grill Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  4. Glaze the Chicken: Drizzle the prepared honey-pepper sauce over the chicken in the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize and coat the chicken beautifully.
  5. Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices before slicing into thin strips.
  6. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain well, reserving a small amount of pasta cooking water.
  7. Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for chicken, add a bit of olive oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  8. Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and gently simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to create a smooth base for the sauce.
  9. Add Parmesan Cheese: Gradually incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese into the simmering cream, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly thickened.
  10. Season the Sauce: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper as needed for a balanced flavor.
  11. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, adding reserved pasta water little by little if necessary to adjust the consistency to your liking.
  12. Assemble and Garnish: Arrange the sliced honey-pepper chicken over the dressed pasta. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a vibrant, fresh garnish, and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of honey based on your preferred sweetness to balance the flavor profile perfectly.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce sodium content without sacrificing taste.
  • Marinate the chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor infusion and more tender texture.
  • For a lighter or dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk.

Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken, Panini Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Grilled Chicken Pasta, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Recipe

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/honey-pepper-chicken-panini-pasta-recipe/