Honey Chipotle Chicken Pasta (Printable version)

Tender seared chicken tossed with penne in a creamy, sweet-smoky honey chipotle sauce with fresh herbs.

# Ingredient list:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
03 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Pasta

07 - 12 ounces penne pasta

→ Sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
11 - 3 tablespoons honey
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
14 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
19 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - While pasta cooks, season chicken breasts on both sides with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Transfer to a plate and rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Stir in chopped chipotle peppers and honey. Cook for 1 minute, then add heavy cream, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth. Add lime juice.
07 - Toss drained pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until well coated and heated through.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with chopped cilantro and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The sauce hits this perfect balance between creamy comfort food and that addictive spicy-sweet kick that keeps you coming back for seconds
  • Everything comes together in one pan while the pasta boils, making it feel fancy enough for company but easy enough for a random Tuesday night
02 -
  • Reserving that pasta water is non-negotiable because the starchy liquid helps the sauce cling to every piece of pasta
  • Chipotle peppers vary wildly in heat level, so always taste your sauce before adding more
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it stands off the heat, so remove it from the flame slightly earlier than you think
03 -
  • If your sauce ever starts looking too thin, just keep simmering it gently rather than cranking up the heat, which can cause the cream to separate
  • A microplane makes the absolute finest Parmesan that melts into the sauce instantly, though pre-grated works in a pinch
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