Description
This Smoky White Cheddar Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Skillet is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal. Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a luscious honey butter sauce infused with smoked paprika and garlic, then combined with al dente pasta and creamy white cheddar cheese for a rich, satisfying dish. Garnished with fresh green onions, it’s perfect for a quick yet indulgent dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt butter and create sauce base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until combined and fragrant.
- Cook the chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add liquids and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken and meld the flavors, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and stir thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Melt the cheese: Stir in the shredded white cheddar cheese until it melts fully into the sauce, creating a creamy and smooth texture.
- Season and garnish: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving to add a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
Notes
- Using penne or rotini helps the sauce cling to the pasta better.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: smoky chicken pasta, honey butter chicken, white cheddar pasta skillet, creamy chicken pasta, skillet dinners
