Honey Garlic Chicken With Roasted Veggie Penne Recipe

Easy Honey Garlic Chicken with Roasted Veggie Penne Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this honey garlic chicken with roasted veggie penne delivers flavor in every bite.

Golden chicken glazed with honey garlic sauce creates a mouthwatering centerpiece for the meal.

Tender pasta spirals catch the delectable sauce perfectly, ensuring each forkful bursts with savory goodness.

roasted vegetables add a delightful caramelized crunch that complements the succulent chicken.

The combination of sweet honey, pungent garlic, and perfectly cooked chicken transforms a simple dish into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Colorful vegetables bring nutrition and vibrant appeal to the plate.

Serve this crowd-pleasing meal and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Honey Garlic Chicken With Roasted Penne Notes

  • Simplify Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into the crockpot and let it work its magic with minimal hands-on cooking, perfect for busy families and professionals.
  • Transform Tough Cuts: Slow cooking transforms less expensive beef cuts into tender, mouthwatering meat that melts in your mouth with rich, savory flavors.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Easily adjust spice levels, swap protein, or add extra veggies to make this recipe uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core.
  • One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup, maximum satisfaction with a complete meal that combines protein, vegetables, and a delectable sauce in a single cooking vessel.

Ingredients For Honey Garlic Chicken Penne

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Fresh cuts that provide lean protein and serve as the star of the dish.
Pasta and Vegetables:
  • Penne Pasta: Tubular pasta that holds sauce well and creates a hearty base for the meal.
  • Zucchini, Red Bell Peppers, Yellow Bell Peppers, Red Onion: Colorful vegetables that add nutrition, texture, and roasted sweetness to the dish.
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Honey: Natural sweetener that creates a rich glaze for the chicken and adds depth to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides intense flavor to the honey garlic sauce.
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat used for roasting vegetables and searing chicken.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth sauce.
  • Soy Sauce: Provides umami and salty complexity to the sauce.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and helps emulsify the sauce.
  • Chicken Broth: Enhances sauce flavor and helps create a silky consistency.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance overall taste.
  • Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: Spices that add warmth and subtle heat.
  • Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds aromatic complexity to roasted vegetables.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh flavor to the finished dish.

Stepwise Guide To Honey Garlic Chicken Penne

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Vegetables

Slice zucchini, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, and red onion. Toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in a preheated oven at 400F for 20-25 minutes until vegetables become tender and develop slight char marks.

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Boil penne pasta in salted water according to package directions until it reaches al dente texture. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Season and Sear Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken from pan and let rest before slicing.

Step 4: Create Honey Garlic Sauce

In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add:
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Dijon mustard
  • Chicken broth

Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.

Step 5: Combine and Finish Dish

Add roasted vegetables and cooked pasta into the honey garlic sauce. Toss everything to ensure even coating.

Slice cooked chicken and place on top of pasta. Sprinkle fresh parsley as garnish.

Serve immediately while hot.

Helpful Advice For Honey Garlic Chicken Penne

  • Roast vegetables at high heat to caramelize edges and intensify their natural sweetness, creating deeper taste profiles.
  • Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain perfect texture and prevent mushiness when mixing with sauce.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of browning.
  • Adjust honey garlic sauce consistency by simmering longer for thicker sauce or adding more broth for lighter coating.
  • Chop vegetables and prepare chicken in advance to reduce overall cooking time and streamline dinner preparation.

Flavor Variations For Honey Garlic Chicken Penne

  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu, tempeh, or seitan, marinated in the honey garlic sauce for enhanced flavor and protein content.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta like brown rice or quinoa pasta, and substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Spicy Kick Variation: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce to the honey garlic mixture for those who enjoy a more intense heat level.
  • Mediterranean Remix: Swap Italian seasoning with za'atar spice blend, use feta cheese instead of parsley, and add kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.

Perfect Pairings For Honey Garlic Chicken Penne

  • Pair Zesty White Wine: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the honey garlic sauce's richness, complementing the roasted vegetables with bright, citrusy notes.
  • Enhance Herb Freshness: Sprinkle additional fresh parsley or basil to elevate the dish's aromatic profile, adding a vibrant green layer of flavor complexity.
  • Balance Flavor Contrast: Add crumbled feta cheese on top to introduce a tangy, salty element that perfectly balances the sweet honey and savory chicken.
  • Create Textural Depth: Scatter toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the pasta for a delightful crunch that enhances the roasted vegetable's soft texture.

How To Store Honey Garlic Chicken Penne Properly

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, separating chicken and pasta to maintain optimal texture.
  • Transfer cooled meal to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Pasta with vegetables can freeze up to 2 months, while chicken stays good for 4 months. Label containers with date.
  • Place individual portions on microwave-safe plate. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons water to prevent drying. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

FAQs

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild kick from red pepper flakes, which you can adjust or omit based on your heat preference.

  • Can I use different pasta shapes?

Yes, you can substitute penne with other pasta like rotini, fusilli, or bowtie for similar results.

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

  • Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace chicken with tofu or plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

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Honey Garlic Chicken With Roasted Veggie Penne Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken With Roasted Veggie Penne Recipe


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4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Sizzling honey garlic chicken nestles perfectly with roasted veggie penne, creating a mouthwatering melody of flavors. Comfort meets elegance in this simple yet sophisticated dish that promises to delight both family and friends at the dinner table.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables:

  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 small red onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauces:

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Oils and Pasta:

  • 4.5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups penne pasta

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 400F (200C) for roasting vegetables and preparing the dish.
  2. Combine zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, and red onion with olive oil, seasoning them with salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs.
  3. Spread vegetables on a baking sheet, roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
  4. Cook penne pasta to al dente according to package instructions, then drain and reserve.
  5. Generously season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, paprika, and optional red pepper flakes.
  6. Sear chicken in olive oil over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked, then set aside to rest.
  7. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 1 minute.
  8. Create a sauce by whisking together honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth, simmering for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  9. Incorporate roasted vegetables and cooked pasta into the honey garlic sauce, tossing to ensure even coating.
  10. Slice the rested chicken and arrange on top of the pasta mixture.
  11. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Customize the heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice lovers or omitting for milder taste.
  • Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian-friendly version that’s equally delicious.
  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and crispy exterior.
  • Use fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of parsley for an aromatic flavor boost that elevates the dish’s complexity.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 720 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 390 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 62 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Maya Thompson

Maya Thompson

Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast

Expertise

Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine​

Education

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.


Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.

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