Sticky Honey Chili Garlic Butter Chicken Penne
There’s something about the combo of honey, chili, and garlic that just works every single time, and once you add butter and toss it all through pasta with juicy chicken, you’ve got a dinner that disappears fast. This is one of those recipes I make when I want something that tastes like way more effort than it actually took.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish hits that sweet-spicy-savory combo that keeps you going back for one more bite. The sauce comes together in the same pan as the chicken, so you get all that flavor without extra dishes piling up.
It’s also genuinely fast. You can have this on the table in about 30 minutes, which makes it a solid pick for busy weeknights when you still want something that feels a little special.
And honestly, it’s forgiving. If you don’t have every single ingredient on hand, there’s a good chance you can swap something in without ruining the dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The chicken is the base here, and boneless thighs work beautifully because they stay juicy even if you slightly overcook them. Breasts work fine too if that’s what you’ve got, just watch your cook time a bit closer.
Honey and chili garlic sauce are the real stars of the sticky glaze. If you can’t find chili garlic sauce, sriracha mixed with a little extra minced garlic gets you close enough.
Butter ties everything together and gives the sauce that glossy, rich finish. Don’t skip it or swap it for oil — it really does make a difference in how the sauce clings to the pasta.
Penne is the pasta of choice because its ridges and tube shape grab onto the sauce so well, but rigatoni or fusilli would work in a pinch. A splash of pasta water at the end helps loosen the sauce if it gets too sticky or thick.
Tips for the Best Results
Tip: Don’t rush the chicken. Let it get a proper golden sear before you touch it, since that browning adds a ton of flavor to the whole dish.
Taste your sauce before tossing in the pasta and adjust the honey or chili garlic sauce to your liking. Some brands of chili garlic sauce are spicier than others, so it’s worth a quick taste test.
Always save a cup of pasta water before draining. That starchy water is what helps the sauce turn silky instead of clumpy or dry.
If you like a little acid to balance the sweetness, a squeeze of lime or a small splash of rice vinegar right at the end brightens everything up nicely.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce does thicken as it cools, so don’t panic if it looks a little different the next day.
Note: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce back up. Microwaving works too, just add a little liquid and stir halfway through so it heats evenly.
This dish isn’t really meant for freezing since the sauce can separate a bit once thawed, but if you do freeze it, know the texture will be slightly different when reheated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, just cut back on the chili garlic sauce and add a little extra honey to balance things out.
Can I use a different protein?
Shrimp or even tofu work well here if you want to switch things up, just adjust cook times accordingly.
What can I serve with this?
A simple green salad or some steamed broccoli rounds out the meal nicely without competing with the sauce.
Can I meal prep this?
Definitely. It reheats well for a few days, making it a great option for easy weekday lunches.
product: Large heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan
Sticky Honey Chili Garlic Butter Chicken Penne
A quick weeknight pasta with juicy chicken and penne tossed in a sticky, buttery honey chili garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, diced
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions, then reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
- Step 2. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper.
- Step 3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Step 4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Step 5. Lower heat to medium, add butter and garlic to the same skillet, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6. Stir in honey, chili garlic sauce, and soy sauce, and simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 7. Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Step 8. Add cooked penne to the skillet and toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Step 9. Taste and adjust seasoning, honey, or chili garlic sauce as needed.
- Step 10. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.
