Description
This One-Pan Sweet and Smoky Garlic Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken strips are cooked with a delicious blend of garlic, smoky paprika, and a honey-soy glaze, then tossed with pasta for a comforting, all-in-one meal that’s sure to please.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz linguine or spaghetti, cooked and drained
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oils. Warm 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp sesame oil (if using) in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken. Add the chicken strips to the hot skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the sauce base. Pour in 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey (or brown sugar), 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (if desired). Let the mixture simmer for 3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Thicken the sauce. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine chicken with sauce. Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and toss well to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Add the pasta. Add the cooked and drained linguine or spaghetti to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated with the flavorful sauce and chicken.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle sesame seeds and extra freshly cracked black pepper over the dish before serving warm.
Notes
- For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Use honey for a more natural sweetness, or substitute with brown sugar if preferred.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente before adding to the sauce for best texture.
- Sesame oil is optional but adds a lovely nutty flavor to the dish.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by substituting soy sauce with tamari and using gluten-free pasta.
