Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta – A Comforting Twist on Chicken Recipes
Ever had one of those days when you just want to throw a bunch of delicious things into one dish and call it dinner? That was me last Tuesday. This honey pepper chicken panini pasta is a little sweet, a little spicy, and wildly comforting. It’s got that toasted panini charm but swirled into creamy pasta. Yes, we’re breaking some imaginary food rules, and I love that for us. It brings together all the joy of chicken panini recipes, the sticky goodness of honey chicken recipes, and the cozy vibes of chicken pasta recipes into one skillet. I like to think of this as a back-pocket meal, the kind that sounds like you put in a ton of effort—but actually didn’t. Let’s just say if grilled panini and pasta had a baby, this would be it. You get the golden toasted bread, juicy spiced chicken, and creamy cheese-laced noodles, all in one bite. And the kicker? It’s deceptively simple and weirdly healthy (thank you, pantry shortcuts). You can bet this one’s going in the rotation.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Panini bread, sliced and toasted (or ciabatta works!)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
- Drizzle honey over the chicken, stir, and let it caramelize slightly—just a minute or two.
- Reduce heat to low. Add cream, cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan. Stir until melted and creamy.
- Toss in the cooked pasta and fold gently until everything is coated in sauce.
- Add chili flakes if you're in the mood for a kick. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
- Serve with toasted panini or ciabatta slices on the side—or heck, mix it right in if you’re feeling wild.