Skillet Honey & Pepper Chicken With Cheesy Pasta

This is a simple, flavorful & moist chicken
served over a creamy, cheesy pasta, or rice.
(It's not too sweet or too spicy ~ just a
wonderful combination of flavors.

Chicken Ingredients:

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt & pepper

1 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Pasta Ingredients:

1 pound Rotini noodles

4 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all purpose flour

4 cups half & half**

4 cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

fresh gound black pepper

chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

Method:

Lightly season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add the oil to a large skillet. Heat over medium heat. Add the chicken and brown on all sides until golden brown and fully cooked through. (about 7 minutes on each side)

While the chicken is browning, Bring a large pot, or Dutch oven, of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to the package dirrections. Drain and set aside.

Once the chicken is cooked, transfer to a plate to rest.

Without cleaning, in the same skillet, combine the honey, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne. Simmer and stir, over medium low heat, for 3 minutes. Cut the chicken into slices and return to the skillet. Stir to coat with the sauce and turn the heat down to low until ready to serve.

Add the butter to the empty Dutch oven and melt over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk to blend. Cook and stir for about one minute.

Gradually whisk in the half and half and mix until smooth. Continue to cook and stir for 5 miutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses until well blended. Add freshly ground black pepper and stir. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

Spoon portions of the pasta onto each plate. Top with 3 to 4 slices of the chicken. If desired, garnish with the fresh chopped grenery. Makes 6 to 8 servings depending on portion size.

**Milk may be substituted for the half & half.

Notes: This is a family friendy, restaurant quality meal, that is suitable to serve to company.

Instead of the Cheesy Pasta, this chicken may be served over rice or rice pilaf.