Honey Chipotle Chicken Pasta

4.7
(3)

Wow, let’s talk about fusion! This honey chipotle chicken pasta combines elements of Italian cuisine and Nashville hot honey with flavors from south of the border! Inspired by a famous restaurant, making this colorful dish at home lets me tweak it to our family’s palate. You can make yours spicier by adding more adobo sauce, if you wish.

overhead view of skillet with chicken, penner, asparagus, tortilla chips in creamy sauce
2
Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
4
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or as needed

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or as needed

  • 1/2 pound penne pasta

  • 1 pound asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • ice water, as needed

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

  • 3 tablespoons honey

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotle chilies in adobo)

  • 4 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese

  • 1 cup frozen baby peas, thawed

  • cilantro sprigs, for garnish (optional)

  • 1/3 cup corn tortilla chips, for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Toss chicken pieces with lemon juice, salt, and black pepper; set aside.

  2. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until nearly tender and still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes, or about 1 minute less than package directions. Use a slotted spoon to remove the penne from the water and set aside.

  3. To the boiling pasta water, add asparagus and boil until bright green and tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove asparagus and immediately place into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Add asparagus to the same container as the penne.

  4. While pasta is cooking, heat butter and olive oil together in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat, until butter stops sizzling.

  5. Add chopped red pepper, yellow pepper, and onion, and cook, stirring, until onion begins to turn translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove cooked vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

  6. To the same skillet, add chicken pieces and cook, browning chicken on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in honey, coating all chicken pieces.

  7. Add bell pepper mixture back to the skillet, and stir well. Mix in adobo sauce, heavy cream, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  8. Add cooked penne and asparagus and frozen green peas. Stir well. Heat for 3 to 4 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to stand, 3 to 4 minutes.

  9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and corn tortilla chip pieces, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

1046 Calories
54g Fat
70g Carbs
77g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 1046
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 54g 70%
Saturated Fat 30g 149%
Cholesterol 274mg 91%
Sodium 949mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 70g 26%
Dietary Fiber 12g 42%
Total Sugars 29g
Protein 77g 155%
Vitamin C 178mg 198%
Calcium 547mg 42%
Iron 6mg 34%
Potassium 1369mg 29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.