Description
Whip up a Quick Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta dinner in a flash! This simple, flavorful recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- For the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- For the Pasta & Finish:
- 12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large bell pepper (any color), sliced
- 1/2 medium onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional Extras:
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (for extra heat)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken & Sauce:: First things first, let’s get that chicken ready for our Quick Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta! Dice your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Now, here’s a little trick: toss those chicken pieces with a tablespoon of cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This gives them a lovely crust and helps thicken the sauce later. While that’s doing its thing, whisk together your honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl. Give it a good stir, making sure everything is combined. This is where the magic starts to happen, honestly.
- Sear the Chicken:: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, add your chicken in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it won’t get that nice sear! You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown crust. This is where I always get impatient and try to flip it too soon – don’t be like me! Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until it’s cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. This step is crucial for flavor in your honey pepper chicken pasta.
- Sauté the Veggies:: In the same skillet (don’t clean it, those bits are flavor!), add a little more olive oil if needed. Toss in your sliced bell peppers and onion. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes, until they start to soften and get a little color. They should still have a bit of a bite, though! The smell right now? Oh, it’s just amazing. It means you’re building a fantastic base for your Quick Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta. This is where I sometimes get distracted and let them get a *little* too soft, so keep an eye on them!
- Cook the Pasta:: While your veggies are doing their thing, get a large pot of salted water boiling for your pasta. Seriously, salt the water like the ocean! Cook your pasta according to package directions until it’s al dente. This is important – we don’t want mushy pasta for our honey pepper chicken pasta! Before draining, remember to reserve about a cup of that starchy pasta water. Trust me, you’ll thank me later; it’s a lifesaver for getting the sauce just right. I always forget this and then kick myself.
- Combine & Sauce It Up:: Once your veggies are ready, return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Give it a good stir. Now, pour in your prepared honey pepper sauce. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly and coats the chicken and veggies beautifully. If it’s too thick, add a splash of that reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. This is where the magic truly happens for your Quick Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta!
- Finish & Serve Your Quick Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta:: Finally, add your drained al dente pasta directly into the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in that glorious honey pepper sauce. If it needs a little more moisture, don’t be shy with a splash more pasta water. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately and watch it disappear! This Quick Easy Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is honestly one of my favorite weeknight wins.