Description
A flavorful one-pan dish combining tender chicken strips with a sweet and smoky garlic sauce, tossed with pasta for an easy, satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
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: Heat olive oil and 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 skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant to build flavor for the sauce.
- Add sauce ingredients: Pour in the soy sauce, honey, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer for 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Thicken the sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a rich consistency.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the pan and stir well to coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Add pasta: Toss the cooked and drained linguine or spaghetti into the skillet and mix everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the sauce and chicken.
- Finish and serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and extra freshly cracked black pepper. Serve warm for a delicious one-pan meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use honey or brown sugar depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente before adding to the skillet to avoid overcooking.
- Sesame oil adds a nice nutty flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to better control the saltiness of the dish.
