Description
Honey Pepper Chicken served over creamy garlic butter pasta is a deliciously balanced meal combining tender, glazed chicken with a rich, cheesy pasta. The chicken is perfectly seasoned with a honey-soy glaze spiced with black and red pepper, complementing the smooth, flavorful Alfredo-style sauce on fettuccine or linguine noodles—perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Honey Pepper Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Set the mixture aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts or thighs and cook for 5–7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Glaze Chicken: In the same skillet, pour in the honey-pepper sauce. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat evenly in the glaze. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a separate pan or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the creamy garlic butter sauce. Toss well to coat the noodles evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve: Slice the glazed chicken and serve it on top of or alongside the creamy garlic butter pasta. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for a fresh burst of flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat, or breasts for leaner options.
- Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps adjust sauce consistency.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to increase or reduce spiciness.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but expect a less rich sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor.
- Make sure not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
