Description
Irresistible honey pepper chicken panini pasta blends Mediterranean flavors with hearty comfort. Succulent chicken, melted cheese, and zesty pepper create a delightful culinary experience you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup (240 ml) penne pasta
- 1/2 cup (170 g) honey
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- 1 panini bread (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare penne pasta according to package directions, then drain and reserve.
- Thoroughly season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet at medium temperature, sear chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer chicken to cutting board and slice into strips.
- Using the same skillet, combine butter, honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and additional black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 2 minutes, creating a glossy sauce.
- Return sliced chicken to the skillet, gently toss to coat evenly with the honey pepper sauce, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
- In a separate saucepan, melt heavy cream and mozzarella cheese over low heat until smooth and integrated. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is thoroughly coated.
- Arrange cheesy pasta on serving plates, generously top with honey pepper chicken, and accompany with crisp, toasted panini bread on the side.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes for personalized heat intensity.
- Use gluten-free pasta and tamari sauce to make the recipe celiac-friendly and allergen-sensitive.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and ensure maximum tenderness.
- Consider preparing extra sauce to drizzle over pasta or use as a dipping condiment for added flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 760 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg