Honey-Glazed Chicken & Rainbow Veggie Pasta
Tender chicken strips coated in a sweet honey-soy glaze, mixed with colorful bell peppers and zucchini for a vibrant, nutrient-packed weeknight meal. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs penne pasta, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch strips chicken breast
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup, diced into 1/2-inch pieces (mixed colors) bell peppers
- 1/2 cup, diced into 1/2-inch pieces zucchini
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup diced bell peppers and 1/2 cup diced zucchini, then stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender and slightly golden around the edges.
- Step 3: Push vegetables to the side of the skillet, add chicken strips, and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and slightly browned.
- Step 4: Whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of black pepper in a small bowl.
- Step 5: Pour the honey mixture over the chicken and vegetables, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute until glossy and slightly thickened.
- Step 6: Add the drained penne to the skillet and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Chicken & Rainbow Veggie Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honey-Glazed Chicken & Rainbow Veggie Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Chicken & Rainbow Veggie Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey-Glazed Chicken & Rainbow Veggie Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honey-Glazed Chicken & Rainbow Veggie Pasta?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.