Description
This Smoky White Cheddar Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Skillet combines tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy, smoky, and slightly sweet sauce enriched with white cheddar cheese and honey butter. A comforting one-pan meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor, ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside to be combined later.
- Prepare Honey Butter Sauce: 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 and cook them until golden brown and cooked through, ensuring no pink remains inside.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring to blend all flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Melt the Cheese: Mix in the shredded white cheddar cheese, continuing to stir until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Finish and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving for a fresh pop of flavor and color.
Notes
- Use penne or rotini pasta as they hold the sauce well, but any short pasta will work.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
- To reduce calories, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Feel free to swap white cheddar for sharp cheddar or smoked gouda for a different smoky flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken pasta skillet, smoky chicken pasta, white cheddar pasta, honey butter chicken, creamy chicken pasta, one-pan dinner
