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
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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