Honey Lemon Chicken Pasta

Honey Lemon Chicken with Angel Hair Pasta

Lemon and honey are so good together and the dish is bright, tangy-and-sweet, and perfect for warmer weather. It’s a fast, easy recipe that the whole family will love and it’s ready in 20 minutes. I used angel hair pasta because it cooks quickly and the bite-sized chicken does too. After cooking the pasta, it's transferred into the skillet the chicken cooks in, and everything is tossed together in the honey lemon sauce the chicken simmers in. The sauce keeps the chicken moist, tender, and it's tart yet sweet enough and coats the pasta perfectly. If you're a lemon lover or a fan of easy dinners that taste like a million bucks but that are really so simple, you'll love this healthy recipe for those busy nights.

YIELD: serves 4

 

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

 

COOK TIME: about 15 minutes

 

TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

Pasta

• 8 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked according to package directions (half of a 1-pound box)

Chicken

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for sauce + 1 tablespoon for cooking chicken
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning blend for sauce + more for sprinkling over chicken
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• leaves from 2 or 3 sprigs of thyme, optional and to taste
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pasta - Cook according to directions on box, drain, and set aside.
2. Chicken - To a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add the honey, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning, salt, pepper, optional thyme, and stir to combine; set sauce aside.
3. To a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add chicken, generously sprinkle with lemon pepper seasoning, and cook chicken over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently so all sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts and sizes of pieces. Chicken should be about 90% cooked through.
4. Turn heat to medium-low, and carefully add the sauce noting that it may bubble up in the first few seconds.
5. Allow sauce to bubble at a low boil for about 5 minutes, or until sauce has thickened and reduced some, and chicken is cooked through. Stir sauce and flip chicken intermittently throughout.
6. Add pasta to skillet with the chicken and toss to combine and coat. Serve immediately. Chicken and pasta are best warm and fresh, but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently prior to serving.