Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta Recipe

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This Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a mouthwatering fusion of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors all wrapped up in a comforting bowl of creamy pasta. Tender chicken strips are glazed in a sticky honey pepper sauce, then layered over rotini pasta and tossed with sauteed bell peppers. It’s restaurant-style flavor made easy in your own kitchen.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or when you’re craving something bold and satisfying, this dish balances heat from black pepper with the smooth sweetness of honey. Every bite is hearty, flavorful, and leaves you wanting more.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta

• Bold Flavor Combo: Sweet honey, savory garlic, and a peppery kick.
• Easy Yet Impressive: It looks fancy, but it’s ready in under an hour.
• Versatile Protein: You can swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or steak.
• Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleasing pasta dinner with colorful veggies.

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What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

We used rotini because its spirals hold onto that creamy, sticky sauce perfectly, but feel free to use penne, rigatoni, or even fettuccine. Just make sure it’s a pasta shape that can grab onto the sauce for maximum flavor in every bite.

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Ingredients for the Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta

Each ingredient here plays a delicious role in making this pasta shine:

• Chicken breast (1 lb, sliced): The star protein, cooks quickly and soaks up the honey pepper glaze.
• Salt & Black pepper (to taste): Simple seasoning for building base flavor.
• Olive oil (2 tbsp): Used for searing the chicken and sautéing peppers.
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Adds depth and warmth to the dish.
• Honey (1/3 cup): Brings the sweet stickiness to the glaze.
• Soy sauce (1/4 cup): Adds umami and saltiness.
• Black pepper (1 tsp, freshly ground): For that spicy kick.
• Red and yellow bell peppers (1 each, sliced): A sweet crunch and color contrast.
• Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Adds richness and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Cooked rotini pasta (12 oz): Holds sauce in its ridges and adds a hearty base.
• Fresh parsley (2 tbsp, chopped): Optional garnish for freshness and color.

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How To Make the Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Season chicken strips with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed and toss in the sliced red and yellow bell peppers. Cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly soft but still vibrant. Add in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.

Step 3: Make the Honey Pepper Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes, then return the cooked chicken to the pan. Toss until everything is well coated.

Step 4: Add the Cream

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Let it simmer for another 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Toss with Pasta

Add in the cooked rotini pasta and gently toss to coat in the creamy honey pepper sauce. Mix until well combined and heated through.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy the sticky-sweet-savory bliss!

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Serving and Storing Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. It’s a hearty main dish that doesn’t need much else to feel complete, but leftovers are just as delicious the next day. Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce.

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What to Serve With Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta?

H3: Garlic Bread

Perfect for mopping up the rich sauce.

H3: Simple Garden Salad

A crisp, refreshing counterbalance with a light vinaigrette.

H3: Steamed Broccoli

Adds green goodness and mild bitterness to balance the sweet sauce.

H3: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Their caramelized edges pair beautifully with the sweet-savory glaze.

H3: Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Crispy, cheesy sides that complement the creamy pasta.

H3: Grilled Asparagus

Earthy and bright with a little char.

H3: Balsamic Glazed Carrots

The sweet acidity matches the honey tones perfectly.

H3: Sparkling Lemon Water

A refreshing drink to cut through richness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the chicken, sauce, and veggies ahead. Cook the pasta fresh for best texture, then combine everything when ready to eat.

2. Can I use a different protein?
Absolutely. Shrimp, tofu, or thinly sliced steak work well with this sauce.

3. Is it very spicy?
Not overly. The black pepper gives a noticeable kick, but it’s balanced by the honey. Add chili flakes for extra heat.

4. Can I make it dairy-free?
Swap the cream with unsweetened coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. It will slightly alter the flavor but still taste great.

5. What kind of pasta holds sauce best?
Short pastas like rotini, penne, or rigatoni are ideal since their shape grabs the sauce better than long noodles.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you make it extra spicy? Add mushrooms? Swap in shrimp?

I love seeing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook better.

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Conclusion

If you’re craving a dish that feels both comforting and exciting, Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta delivers. With sticky-sweet glazed chicken, creamy peppery sauce, and tender pasta, it brings restaurant-quality taste to your table with weeknight ease.

And if you loved this, check out other flavor-packed favorites like our One Pot Smoky Honey BBQ Steak Pasta, Sticky Honey Mustard Sausage Pasta Skillet, or Cheesy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta.

Looking for more daily recipes? Follow me on Pinterest at Meals We Share for ideas every day!

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