Smoky White Cheddar Honey Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Smoky White Cheddar Honey Butter Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, creamy smoked white cheddar cheese, and a touch of sweet honey butter sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- Water and salt for boiling
Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup shredded smoked white cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook in the skillet until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve a little pasta water.
- Make the Honey Butter Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in honey and milk, mixing until combined. Add shredded smoked white cheddar cheese gradually, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet with the cheese sauce. Toss well to coat everything evenly and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with additional cheese or herbs if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use smoked white cheddar for a subtle smoky flavor, or substitute with regular white cheddar if unavailable.
- Adjust honey amount based on your preferred sweetness level.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to help thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Keywords: chicken pasta, white cheddar pasta, honey butter sauce, smoky cheese pasta, creamy chicken pasta
