Description

This Best Honey Pepper Chicken Panini Pasta recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, layered with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, penne pasta, and zesty condiments, all grilled between crispy ciabatta bread slices to create a uniquely delicious and hearty sandwich perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ cup honey
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder

Pasta and Cheese

1 cup cooked penne pasta
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Bread and Condiments

4 slices ciabatta or panini bread
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill or pan-sear them over medium heat until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from heat and slice into strips once slightly cooled.
Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: In a saucepan, combine the honey, black pepper, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, butter, and garlic powder. Simmer the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
Prepare the Pasta: Toss the cooked penne pasta with the warm honey pepper sauce, ensuring that all pasta is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
Assemble the Sandwich: Spread mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on one side of each slice of ciabatta bread. On two of the slices, layer shredded mozzarella cheese, then cheddar cheese, followed by the sliced chicken strips, and finally the honey pepper-coated pasta. Top with the remaining bread slices, condiment side down.
Grill the Panini: Heat a panini press or a large skillet over medium heat. If using a skillet, add olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the assembled sandwiches on the press or skillet and cook until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. Press gently for even grilling if using a skillet.
Serve: Remove the panini from heat, slice each sandwich in half diagonally, and serve warm. Enjoy your rich and savory honey pepper chicken panini pasta!

Notes

For juicier chicken, marinate the chicken breasts briefly in some of the honey pepper sauce before cooking.
If you don’t have a panini press, use a heavy skillet and press down on the sandwich using another pan or a spatula during grilling.
Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, if desired.
This recipe can be doubled easily to serve more people.
Adjust black pepper quantity based on your spice preference for more or less heat.