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

Crafting a mouthwatering honey pepper chicken panini pasta blends sweet and spicy flavors into one incredible dish.

Tender chicken pieces marinate in a delightful honey-infused sauce with subtle pepper kick.

Bold ingredients come together seamlessly, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Weeknight dinners will never feel mundane with this simple yet sophisticated recipe.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings bring depth and complexity to each carefully prepared bite.

Hearty pasta provides the perfect canvas for showcasing succulent chicken and vibrant spices.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Keeping Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Pack cooled pasta and chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Will stay fresh for up to 2 months.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water or cream to restore moisture. Cover with microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Warm pasta in skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of cream or chicken broth to prevent drying.

Your Questions On Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• What makes the honey-pepper sauce unique?

The combination of honey’s sweetness, soy sauce’s umami, vinegar’s tang, and black pepper’s heat creates a complex, balanced flavor profile that perfectly coats the chicken.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, while the recipe suggests a standard pasta, you can easily substitute with penne, fettuccine, or linguine based on your preference without changing the overall dish’s flavor.

• Is this dish spicy?

The black pepper provides a mild warmth, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. The honey actually helps balance and soften the pepper’s heat, making it mild and enjoyable for most palates.

Reasons To Love Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Craft a Flavor Explosion: Honey and pepper create a mouthwatering combination that transforms ordinary chicken into a taste sensation that dances on your palate.
• Master Quick Culinary Skills: This recipe offers an impressive meal with straightforward steps that even novice cooks can confidently navigate, making restaurant-quality dining accessible at home.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Moments: Ideal for family dinners, casual gatherings, or when you want to impress guests with minimal kitchen stress, this dish brings everyone together with its irresistible aroma and delectable taste.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients allow personal tweaks, so you can adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or add extra vegetables to match your dietary preferences or pantry supplies.

What You Need For Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Chicken Breast: A lean and tender protein that absorbs the honey-pepper marinade perfectly.
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty and rich cheese that adds depth to the creamy pasta sauce.

• Honey, Soy Sauce, Black Pepper, Salt: A balanced combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that create a delicious marinade.
• Vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness to the chicken marinade.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and smooth base for the pasta sauce.
• Garlic: Provides a robust and aromatic flavor to the cream sauce.

• Pasta: The hearty base of the dish that soaks up the creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking chicken and sautéing garlic, adding a subtle richness.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbal note to the finished dish.

Simple Steps For Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

Step 1: Whisk Flavor-Packed Marinade

Create a zesty marinade by combining honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ground black pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl. Blend the ingredients thoroughly to ensure a rich, even flavor profile.

Step 2: Prepare Succulent Chicken

Season chicken with salt and ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken, ensuring each side develops a golden-brown crust.

Step 3: Glaze Chicken With Honey Pepper Sauce

Pour the prepared honey-pepper marinade over the chicken. Let it simmer and caramelize for a few minutes, creating a glossy, flavor-intense coating.

Step 4: Rest And Slice Chicken

Remove chicken from heat and let it rest briefly. Slice the chicken into tender, juicy strips that will perfectly complement the pasta.

Step 5: Cook Pasta To Perfection

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture. Drain and set aside.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce Base

In the same skillet used for chicken, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and allow it to simmer, developing a rich, velvety consistency.

Step 7: Incorporate Parmesan Magic

Gradually stir Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce, whisking until smooth and fully integrated. Season with salt and ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.

Step 8: Combine Pasta And Sauce

Toss the cooked pasta into the creamy Parmesan sauce, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.

Step 9: Add Honey Pepper Chicken

Gently layer the sliced honey pepper chicken strips over the creamy pasta, creating a beautiful presentation.

Step 10: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a burst of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while warm, enjoying the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and creamy elements.

Helpful Ideas For Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken sit in honey-pepper sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify taste and tenderness.
• Grill with Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe, perfectly cooked protein without drying out.
• Pasta Sauce Rescue: If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water to restore creamy consistency and enhance flavor.
• Dietary Swap Options: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use whole wheat pasta for added nutritional value.
• Elevate Herb Game: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or thyme instead of parsley to create unique flavor profiles and add visual appeal.

Switch Things Up In Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta: Replace black pepper with red chili flakes for extra heat and add a dash of sriracha sauce to the honey mixture.
• Vegetarian Panini Pasta Swap: Substitute chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu, using the same honey-pepper marinade for rich flavor.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Use gluten-free pasta and tamari sauce instead of soy sauce, ensuring all ingredients are celiac-safe.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles and use a lighter cream substitute like Greek yogurt for the sauce.

What To Serve With Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfectly Paired Delights
• Complement Creamy Richness: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the pasta's creamy texture, balancing the honey-pepper chicken with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Enhance Spicy-Sweet Profile: A light amber ale brings out the honey's sweetness while matching the peppery kick, creating a delightful flavor resonance.
• Refresh Palate Partner: Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a zesty, peppery counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites of the rich, creamy pasta.
• Balance Texture Contrast: Toasted garlic crostini offers a crunchy texture complement to the soft pasta, adding a delightful textural dimension to the meal.

Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent honey pepper chicken mingles with perfectly grilled panini bread, creating a mouthwatering Italian-inspired pasta experience. Melted cheese, zesty peppers, and sweet honey elevate this dish, promising you a delightful culinary journey through bold Mediterranean flavors.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) penne or fusilli pasta

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together honey, soy sauce, vinegar, cracked black pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground pepper, ensuring even coating.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown exterior and internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Drizzle prepared honey-pepper sauce over chicken, allowing flavors to caramelize for 2-3 minutes.
6. Remove chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
7. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
8. Drain pasta and reserve a small amount of cooking water.
9. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic in olive oil until fragrant, approximately 1-2 minutes.
10. Pour heavy cream into the skillet and simmer gently for 3 minutes, creating a velvety base.
11. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
12. Season sauce with additional salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
13. Fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, using reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
14. Gently layer sliced honey-pepper chicken atop the pasta.
15. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant garnish and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• Adjust honey levels based on sweetness preference to balance the dish’s flavor profile.
• Consider using low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier version without compromising taste.
• Marinate chicken beforehand for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat texture.
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dietary-friendly alternatives.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 840 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 74 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg