Spicy-Sweet Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Recipe

Crisp autumn evenings call for comfort meals that pack a serious homemade spicy honey pepper chicken panini pasta punch.

Layers of bold flavors dance across your plate, promising a culinary adventure.

Tender chicken marinated in sweet and fiery seasonings creates a mouthwatering centerpiece.

Warm panini bread cradles each delectable bite, offering a perfect crunch.

Melted cheese stretches between pasta strands, adding rich depth to every forkful.

Smooth honey notes balance the peppery kick, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Cooking Instructions

• Whip Up the Honey Pepper Magic

Blend honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Drop in butter and let the sauce thicken for a few minutes. Set aside.

• Boil and Dress the Pasta

Get a pot of salted water bubbling and cook pasta until perfectly tender. Drain and toss with butter, cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for a creamy dream.

• Create Crispy Chicken Perfection

Set up three bowls: one with seasoned flour, another with beaten egg, and the last with panko breadcrumbs. Dress chicken strips by coating in flour, dunking in egg, then rolling in breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil until golden and crunchy. Drain on paper towels.

• Drench Chicken in Sweet and Spicy Goodness

Tumble the crispy chicken into the warm honey pepper sauce, ensuring every piece gets a delicious coating.

• Plate and Celebrate

Spread the creamy pasta on plates. Crown with saucy chicken. Sprinkle fresh parsley and extra Parmesan for a restaurant-worthy finish.

Tips And Swaps For Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Flavor Boost Technique: Marinate chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes before breading to ensure extra tender and juicy meat.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference – reduce for mild or increase for a fiery kick.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Replace wheat flour and panko with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly version.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare honey pepper sauce and bread chicken strips in advance, then quickly fry before serving to save time during meal preparation.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Swap chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets, using same breading and sauce technique for a plant-based alternative.

Serving Up Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Right

• Flavor Explosion Plate: Layer the creamy pasta as a base, then arrange the golden honey pepper chicken strips on top for a stunning visual and taste contrast.
• Panini-Style Twist: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and create mini sandwich bites alongside the pasta, offering a fun textural experience for diners.
• Family-Style Sharing: Serve the pasta in a large communal dish with chicken scattered throughout, allowing everyone to scoop and mix their own perfect combination of creamy pasta and crispy chicken.
• Spice Level Customization: Provide extra red pepper flakes and a small dish of additional honey pepper sauce on the side, letting guests adjust the heat and sweetness to their personal preference.

How To Store Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Meals

• Fridge Fresh Keeper: Store leftover chicken and pasta separately in airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, maintaining optimal texture and flavor.
• Freezer Friendly Hack: Wrap individual chicken strips and pasta portions in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Quick Reheat Method: Warm chicken in skillet over medium heat for crispy texture. Microwave pasta with splash of cream to prevent drying. Avoid overheating to maintain juiciness.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Prepare honey pepper sauce and breaded chicken strips one day ahead. Store sauce in sealed jar and keep chicken uncooked in refrigerator. Cook just before serving for maximum freshness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything That Goes In Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Honey: Brings sweet warmth and beautiful golden glaze to chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor and rich brown color.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Creates tangy balance and brightens overall sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers gentle spicy kick and vibrant heat.
• Black Pepper: Provides sharp, aromatic background notes.
• Butter: Smooths sauce texture and adds luxurious richness.

• Pasta: Foundation of the dish, holds sauce beautifully.
• Butter: Creates silky, glossy coating for noodles.
• Heavy Cream: Ensures ultra-creamy, luxurious texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty depth and complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Provides subtle, consistent aromatic undertone.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Introduces mild, warming spiciness.

• Chicken Strips: Protein centerpiece of the recipe.
• Flour: Creates initial dry coating for crispiness.
• Egg: Helps breading adhere perfectly.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Ensures super crunchy, light exterior.
• Vegetable Oil: Enables even, golden frying.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, fresh finishing garnish.

Tools For Cooking Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly.
• Small saucepan: Needed to create honey pepper sauce.
• Frying pan: Critical for cooking crispy chicken.
• Mixing bowls (3): Required for breading chicken strips.
• Whisk or fork: Used to beat egg and mix breading ingredients.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess oil from fried chicken.
• Spatula or tongs: Useful for turning and moving chicken while frying.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Colander: Drains pasta after cooking.

Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Honey pepper chicken panini pasta blends Italian culinary traditions with bold flavor profiles. Crisp chicken, melted cheese, and sweet-spicy sauce create a memorable meal you’ll savor with enthusiasm.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, sliced into strips
• 1 egg, beaten
• 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta (or any short pasta)
• ⅓ cup honey
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 1 tbsp butter (for pasta)
• 1 tbsp butter (for sauce)
• ½ tsp salt (for coating)
• ½ tsp black pepper (for coating)
• ½ tsp garlic powder (for coating)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp garlic powder (for pasta)
• ½ tsp salt (for pasta)
• ½ tsp black pepper (for pasta)
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra Parmesan cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a saucepan over medium heat, simmering gently until ingredients meld and butter creates a slightly thickened, glossy consistency.
2. Pasta Crafting: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, then drain and infuse with butter, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, creating a rich, creamy foundation.
3. Breading Technique: Establish a three-stage coating station with seasoned flour, beaten egg, and panko breadcrumbs, meticulously dredging chicken strips to ensure comprehensive, crisp coverage.
4. Frying Process: Heat oil in a skillet and expertly fry chicken strips, rotating once to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior, then transfer to paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
5. Glazing Finale: Immerse the crispy chicken strips in the warm honey pepper sauce, thoroughly coating each piece with the spicy-sweet glaze, then arrange atop the creamy pasta.
6. Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, transforming the dish into a visually stunning and flavorful culinary masterpiece.

Notes

• Optimize Sauce Consistency: Whisk sauce ingredients carefully to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, glossy texture. Simmer slowly to develop deep flavor complexity without scorching.
• Breading Technique Matters: Pat chicken strips completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness. Press panko breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to create an even, crunchy coating that won’t fall off during frying.
• Temperature Control is Crucial: Use a deep-fry or candy thermometer to maintain oil at 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown chicken. Too low creates greasy results, while too high burns the exterior before cooking through.
• Diet Adaptation Options: Swap wheat flour for gluten-free blend and use gluten-free panko for celiac-friendly version. Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or lactose-free cream for dairy-sensitive diners. Consider baking instead of frying for a lighter preparation method by coating chicken with cooking spray and baking at 425°F until crisp and golden.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg