why make this recipe
This recipe gives you a filling, high-protein meal that tastes like comfort food. It pairs sweet honey butter chicken bites with a smooth, light Alfredo sauce and protein-packed twisted pasta. If you want a pasta dinner that fuels you and pleases the family, this is a smart pick.
introduction
This dish mixes sweet honey chicken with a creamy sauce and high-protein pasta. It cooks fast and uses common pantry ingredients. If you like pasta with bold flavors, try a related idea like bruschetta chicken pasta for another simple dinner option.
how to make High-Protein Honey Butter Chicken Bites Alfredo Twisted Pasta
Follow clear steps and keep heat under control so the sauce stays smooth. Cook the pasta first and save some pasta water. Brown the chicken bites and glaze them with honey. Make the sauce in the same pan to keep flavor. Toss pasta into the sauce and fold in the chicken. Use saved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. For a different spice or pasta shape idea, see creamy garlic butter cajun chicken bowtie pasta.
Ingredients :
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp light butter (or regular butter)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 12 oz high-protein twisted pasta (chickpea or protein-enriched rotini)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup high-protein milk (Fairlife or similar)
- 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Optional add-ins: sautéed spinach or broccoli, grilled shrimp or extra chicken
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, chili flakes for heat
Directions :
Step 1: Cook the Twisted Pasta – Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook high-protein pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Honey Butter Chicken Bites – Season chicken with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken bites and cook 4–5 minutes, flipping until golden and cooked through. Drizzle honey over the chicken, toss to glaze, and remove from heat. Set aside.
Step 3: Build the High-Protein Alfredo Sauce – Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add milk and bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil). Whisk in Greek yogurt and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in Parmesan gradually until creamy and velvety. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Combine Everything – Add pasta to the sauce, tossing gently. Fold in honey butter chicken bites. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
Step 5: Serve – Serve hot, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.
how to serve High-Protein Honey Butter Chicken Bites Alfredo Twisted Pasta
Serve on warm plates. Add extra Parmesan and chopped parsley on top. Offer chili flakes for people who want heat. A simple green salad or steamed green veg fits well on the side.
how to store High-Protein Honey Butter Chicken Bites Alfredo Twisted Pasta
Cool to room temperature within two hours. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or reserved water to loosen the sauce. Do not freeze the dish; the texture of the sauce and yogurt can break after freezing.
tips to make High-Protein Honey Butter Chicken Bites Alfredo Twisted Pasta
- Pat chicken dry so it browns well.
- Don’t let the milk boil; heat gently to avoid curdling.
- Add the yogurt off heat or on low so it blends smoothly.
- Reserve pasta water to fix sauce thickness.
- Use cream cheese for extra creaminess but skip if you want lower fat.
variation (if any)
- Add sautéed spinach or broccoli for color and fiber.
- Use grilled shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version.
- Swap the honey for a touch of balsamic glaze for a tangy twist.
- Use full-fat dairy for a richer sauce.
FAQs
Q: Can I use regular pasta instead of high-protein pasta?
A: Yes. Regular pasta works fine. The dish will have less protein per serving.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: It is hard to make a smooth Alfredo without dairy. You could try a cashew cream or dairy-free cream cheese and a plant milk, but texture will change.
Q: How do I keep the sauce from splitting?
A: Keep heat low when you add yogurt. Stir quickly and add a little pasta water to help it bind.
Q: Can I prepare parts ahead?
A: Yes. Cook pasta and chicken ahead. Store separately and combine with warm sauce just before serving.
Conclusion
This meal gives you a fast, tasty, high-protein dinner that feeds a few people. For more restaurant pasta ideas and to compare flavors, check the California Pizza Kitchen menu.
High-Protein Honey Butter Chicken Bites Alfredo Twisted Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook high-protein pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken bites and cook 4–5 minutes, flipping until golden and cooked through.
- Drizzle honey over the chicken, toss to glaze, and remove from heat. Set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add milk and bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil).
- Whisk in Greek yogurt and cream cheese until smooth.
- Stir in Parmesan gradually until creamy and velvety. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Add pasta to the sauce, tossing gently.
- Fold in honey butter chicken bites.
- Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley and extra Parmesan.