The Zesty Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

Crafting a delectable honey pepper chicken panini pasta promises an adventure for taste buds craving something extraordinary.

Culinary magic happens when sweet and spicy flavors dance together on your plate.

Tender chicken marinated in golden honey and zesty pepper creates a mouthwatering symphony of textures.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance between crisp panini edges and silky pasta strands.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience.

Bold spices and smooth honey form an irresistible combination that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful of this incredible dish that brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen.

Flavor Twists for Panini Pasta

• Gluten-Free Chicken Panini Pasta: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegetarian Pepper Pasta: Swap chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, lower-calorie meal.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Serving Inspirations for Chicken Panini Pasta

• Picnic Perfect Platter: Slice the panini-style chicken and arrange it beautifully over the creamy pasta, creating a stunning presentation that's ideal for outdoor dining or casual gatherings with friends.
• Spicy Honey Drizzle Delight: After plating the pasta and chicken, add an extra drizzle of the honey-pepper sauce on top for an intense flavor boost that will make taste buds dance with excitement.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dish just before serving, adding a rich, nutty layer that complements the sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce perfectly.
• Herb Garden Freshness: Chop fresh oregano and basil leaves right before serving to add a vibrant, aromatic touch that brightens the entire dish and provides a beautiful green contrast to the golden chicken and creamy pasta.

Storage Tips for Panini Pasta

• Refrigerate leftover panini pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping chicken and pasta separate if possible to maintain texture.
• Transfer leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring all components are well-sealed.

FAQs

• What type of buttermilk works best for marinating chicken?

Regular cultured buttermilk is perfect for this recipe. It helps tenderize the chicken and adds a subtle tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh oregano and basil?

Yes, you can substitute dried herbs. Use about one-third of the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh herbs, use 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.

• How spicy is this dish with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat that’s not overwhelming. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely. For more heat, you can increase the quantity to suit your taste.

• Is it necessary to use heavy cream in the sauce?

Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Best Bites

• Master Flavor Fusion: Combine sweet honey, spicy red pepper, and crispy fried chicken for a taste explosion that transforms ordinary pasta into an extraordinary meal.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare this restaurant-quality dish with simple ingredients and basic cooking skills, making gourmet cooking accessible to everyone.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Satisfy diverse palates with a recipe that balances creamy pasta, crunchy chicken, and bold seasonings perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or add vegetables to make this recipe uniquely yours without compromising the delicious core flavors.

Ingredients for Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein that forms the main component of the dish.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize and add flavor to the chicken during marination.

• All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Garlic Powder: Create a flavorful and crispy coating for the chicken.

• Pasta: Provides the base for the creamy dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth sauce.
• Honey: Brings a sweet undertone to balance the spicy elements.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a spicy kick to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances the overall savory flavor of the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a creamy and luxurious sauce texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty and tangy depth to the sauce.

• Oregano, Basil: Fresh herbs that provide aromatic finish and additional flavor complexity.

How to Make Honey Pepper Panini Pasta

Step 1: Bathe Chicken in Buttermilk

Submerge chicken pieces completely in buttermilk and let them soak for half an hour to tenderize and infuse flavor.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder

Mix ingredients thoroughly to create a flavorful breading mixture.

Step 3: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Dredge buttermilk-soaked chicken through seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Heat oil in a skillet and fry chicken until exterior turns golden brown and crispy.

Remove and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Prepare Pasta Base

Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions.

Drain pasta and reserve a small amount of cooking water.

Step 5: Craft Honey Pepper Sauce

• Honey
• Red pepper flakes

Simmer mixture for two minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Step 6: Enhance Sauce Complexity

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Whisk continuously until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Gently fold cooked pasta into sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated.

Add reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.

Step 8: Layer Chicken on Pasta

Slice fried chicken into strips and arrange artfully on top of sauced pasta.

Step 9: Finish with Fresh Herbs

• Oregano
• Basil

over the dish for a burst of fresh flavor before serving.

Expert Guidance for Chicken Panini Pasta

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk for extra tenderness and juiciness, ensuring a more flavorful result.
• Use fresh ground spices for the flour coating to boost the chicken's crispy and aromatic profile.
• Control oil temperature when frying chicken to achieve a perfectly golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Create a lighter version by baking the chicken instead of frying and using low-fat cream alternatives.
• Balance honey and red pepper flakes carefully to get the right sweet and spicy harmony in the sauce.

Delicious Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Honey pepper chicken panini pasta brings together Italian and American flavors in one delightful dish. Crispy chicken, melted cheese, and a sweet-spicy sauce create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Dry Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

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Instructions

1. Immerse chicken pieces in buttermilk for a thorough 30-minute flavor infusion at room temperature.
2. Create a seasoned coating by blending flour with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and granulated garlic powder in a shallow dish.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly dredge each piece in the spiced flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Heat oil to 350°F in a deep skillet, carefully fry chicken until exterior turns crispy golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
5. Prepare pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions, cooking until al dente, then drain and reserve.
6. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then incorporate honey and crushed red pepper flakes, allowing them to meld together for 2 minutes.
7. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, and finely grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
8. Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the luxurious mixture.
9. Slice the crispy fried chicken into strategic strips and arrange artfully atop the sauced pasta.
10. Sprinkle freshly chopped oregano and basil over the dish for a vibrant, aromatic finish before serving immediately.

Notes

• Let buttermilk marinate work its magic by ensuring chicken is fully submerged for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
• Toast panini bread lightly before assembling to prevent soggy texture and enhance crispy exterior.
• Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on heat tolerance, allowing personalized spice level for different palates.
• Consider gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornstarch for coating chicken to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg