Honey Chipotle Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken with penne in a creamy honey chipotle sauce with fresh herbs. Ready in 40 minutes for four servings.

# 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
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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
02 - 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 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to 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 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
06 - Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth. Add lime juice and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Toss drained pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Cook 1-2 minutes until well coated and heated through. Serve immediately garnished with fresh cilantro and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce hits every note: creamy, smoky, sweet, and just spicy enough to keep you interested
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something youd order at a fancy dinner spot
02 -
  • Chipotle peppers vary wildly in heat, so taste your sauce before adding more—a single pepper can range from mild to fire depending on the brand
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so if youre serving this at a dinner party, keep a splash of warm cream or pasta water on hand to loosen it up at the last minute
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness before seasoning—this ensures they cook through without drying out the thinner parts
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh from a wedge; pre-grated cheese has cellulose that prevents it from melting smoothly into cream sauces
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