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An extreme close-up shot of Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta in a shallow bowl, highlighting the detailed texture of the glossy glazed chicken and rotini.

Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta: Your New Weeknight Obsession

This Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is the ultimate 35-minute weeknight dinner. It features tender chicken and rotini pasta tossed in a sweet and savory, irresistibly glossy honey pepper glaze.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
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Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (680g)
  • 16 ounces Rotini Pasta (454g)
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil (30ml)
  • 1/2 cup Honey (120ml)
  • 1/4 cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (60ml)
  • 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (15ml)
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1.5 tsp Coarse Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch (8g)
  • 2 tbsp Cold Water (30ml)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, finely chopped (15g), plus more for garnish
  • Salt to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Large Skillet or Wok
  • 1 Small Bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup (240ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30-45 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and coarse black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.
  5. Return the seared chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the glaze and cook through (2-3 minutes). Add the drained rotini and toss everything together. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency. Stir in the fresh parsley, serve immediately, and garnish with extra parsley.

Notes

Don't Skip the Pasta Water: Reserved pasta water is full of starch, which helps the sauce emulsify and adhere to the pasta.
Dry Your Chicken: Patting the chicken dry before seasoning is critical for getting a beautiful, golden-brown sear.
Use Coarse Black Pepper: The texture and more potent flavor of coarsely ground pepper are essential to this dish.
Control Your Heat: Avoid burning the garlic, as it will make the sauce bitter.