Description
How to make sticky honey mustard garlic chicken penne with tender pasta and golden glazed chicken that creates the perfect weeknight comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Sticky Honey Mustard Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp butter
Finishing Touches
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. This helps create a golden crust and prevents the sauce from sliding off later.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally for even browning.
- Make Sauce: Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk together honey, both mustards, soy sauce, and vinegar in a bowl.
- Glaze Everything: Pour sauce mixture over chicken and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened and sticky. The sauce should coat the chicken beautifully and bubble gently around the edges.
- Combine Together: Add drained pasta to the skillet with butter and toss everything together. Use reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce coat every piece perfectly.
- Finish Serving: Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley and green onions. Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for the perfect finishing touch.
Notes
- Don’t skip reserving pasta water as it helps bind the sauce perfectly.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Chicken thighs work better than breasts for staying tender and juicy.
- Keep heat at medium when making sauce to prevent honey from burning.
- Add pasta water gradually if sauce becomes too thick when combining.
- Fresh herbs make a big difference so avoid dried substitutes when possible.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 32g