Description
This Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Garlic Butter Pasta is a delightful main course combining succulent honey and cracked black pepper glazed chicken with rich, creamy garlic butter fettuccine. Perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner, the dish balances sweet, savory, and peppery notes with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz fettuccine or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fettuccine or spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a small bowl, combine honey, cracked black pepper, soy sauce, and salt. Coat the chicken breasts or thighs evenly with this honey pepper marinade.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the chicken is caramelized and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
- Make the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Finish the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat well in the garlic butter sauce. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the creamy garlic butter pasta and top with freshly sliced honey pepper chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the pasta to introduce extra flavor and texture.
- Opt for chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, more tender chicken.
- For a variation, substitute the chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist.
