Description
Sweet meets heat! Juicy, floured chicken breast is quickly browned in olive oil, then tossed with penne in a glossy sauce of bold black pepper and sweet honey. Simple skillet cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 12 oz penne or spaghetti pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for seasoning and dredging)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then set the drained pasta aside.
- Step 2: Season the chicken cubes generously with salt and lightly dredge them in the all-purpose flour. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift any browned bits (deglazing), and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Stir in the honey and the freshly cracked black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 1-2 minutes until it begins to slightly reduce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, followed by the drained pasta. Toss everything together vigorously for 1-2 minutes until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the sticky honey pepper sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, adding a tablespoon of chicken broth before sealing to prevent the pasta from drying out.
- For best results, reheat servings gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to revive the sauce and maintain moisture.
- For a refreshing counterpoint to the sweetness, serve this sticky pasta alongside a simple green salad dressed with a bright lemon vinaigrette.
- To enhance the signature peppery kick, toast the freshly cracked black pepper in the empty skillet for 10-15 seconds before adding the broth—this step deepens its aroma and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (400g)
- Calories: 690
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 18g