Description
This One-Pot Creamy Honey Chicken & Sausage Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender chicken, smoky sausage, and creamy Parmesan sauce. With a touch of honey adding subtle sweetness, this easy-to-make meal is perfect for busy weeknights and yields a deliciously rich pasta dish in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
Seasonings & Flavorings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish
Liquids & Dairy
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta (uncooked)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the proteins.
- Cook Chicken: Add chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through, ensuring tender bites.
- Sear Sausage: Remove the chicken from the skillet, then add the sliced sausage rounds. Sear them in the same pan until they become browned and develop a crispy exterior.
- Combine Proteins & Add Honey: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sausage. Drizzle the honey over the mixture and stir gently to evenly coat the meat with this subtle sweetness.
- Deglaze with Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits, which adds depth of flavor to the dish.
- Add Pasta & Simmer: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the broth.
- Finish with Cream & Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Season & Serve: Optionally, add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Garnish with freshly ground black pepper and serve the creamy pasta warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use a deep skillet or sauté pan with a lid to allow even cooking and simmering.
- If you prefer, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter dish, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms when adding the cream for extra nutrition.
- For a spicier version, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
