Smoky White Cheddar Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Skillet Recipe
This Smoky White Cheddar Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Skillet combines tender chicken, smoky spices, and a luscious honey butter sauce with creamy white cheddar cheese, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. A comforting and flavorful one-pan meal that’s quick and satisfying, ideal for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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
Sauce and Pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
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 well and set aside.
- Prepare the Honey Butter Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful base.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the center, 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 flavors to meld and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir in the cooked pasta, making sure it’s well coated with the sauce.
- Melt the Cheese: Add the shredded white cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish the pasta skillet with sliced green onions before serving to add a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Use penne or rotini pasta as their shapes hold the creamy sauce better.
- For a smoky flavor, do not skip the smoked paprika.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce won’t be as rich.
- This recipe works well for meal prep and reheats nicely in the microwave.
Keywords: chicken pasta skillet, smoky honey butter chicken, white cheddar pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one-pan dinner, quick weeknight meal
