Description
How to make sticky honey garlic chicken penne with tender pasta and caramelized sauce that creates the perfect weeknight comfort meal everyone loves.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Finishing Touches
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Brown Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in bowl. In separate small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth and lump-free.
- Combine Everything: Add honey garlic mixture to skillet with chicken and bring to simmer. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Toss Pasta: Add drained pasta to skillet and toss until completely coated in sticky sauce. Add pasta water if needed for proper consistency and silky texture.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and fresh parsley before serving immediately while hot.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken properly; it adds crucial flavor depth to the final dish.
- Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 4 days in refrigerator.
- Substitute maple syrup for honey if preferred, using same measurements for sweetness.
- Serve immediately while hot for best texture and optimal sauce consistency.
- Reserve pasta water before draining as it helps create silky sauce texture.
- Toast sesame seeds in dry pan for enhanced nutty flavor and better crunch.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Soy, Sesame
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 32g