Honey Chipotle Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Seared chicken and penne in a creamy, sweet-smoky honey chipotle sauce with fresh cilantro garnish.

# What You Need:

→ 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - While pasta cooks, season the 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, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic, sautéing 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 for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, 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 to achieve desired consistency. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until well coated and heated through.
08 - Divide among serving bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce hits this perfect balance of sweet honey and smoky chipotle that makes people immediately ask for the recipe
  • Everything cooks in one skillet plus a pasta pot so cleanup happens faster than you can say second helpings
  • That cream sauce clings to every piece of penne and coats the sliced chicken so nothing escapes the flavor
02 -
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools so add more pasta water than you think you need when tossing
  • Chipotle peppers vary wildly in heat level so taste your sauce before adding more
  • Do not let the cream come to a rolling boil or it might separate and ruin that smooth texture
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning or you will not get that golden crust
  • Warm your cream slightly before adding it to prevent the sauce from breaking
  • Always grate your own Parmesan because the pre-grated stuff makes the sauce sandy
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