Hot Honey Halloumi Chicken Linguine

Fri, 11 April 2025

Hot Honey Halloumi Chicken Linguine

 

(Serves 2-3)

 

Ingredients

For the pasta:

• 200–250g linguine

• Salt, for the pasta water

For the chicken & halloumi:

• 2 chicken breasts (or thighs), thinly sliced

• 150g halloumi, cubed or sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt & pepper

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the sauce:

• 100g cream cheese 

• 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable stock

• 1 tbsp hot honey (adjust to taste)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)

To finish:

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

• Extra hot honey, for drizzling

• Cracked black pepper

• Lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the linguine:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Cook the chicken:
   Season sliced chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes). Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Fry the halloumi:
   In the same pan, add a touch more oil if needed and fry the halloumi until golden and crisp on both sides (2–3 minutes per side). Set aside with the chicken.

4. Make the sauce:
   Lower the heat to medium. Add a knob of butter (if using), then sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds. Stir in cream cheese and a splash of the pasta water or stock to loosen it. Mix until smooth and creamy.

5. Add the heat & sweet:
   Stir in hot honey, chili flakes (if using), and season with salt and pepper. Adjust the consistency with more pasta water or stock if needed.

6. Combine everything:
   Return the chicken and halloumi to the pan. Add the cooked linguine and toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.

7. Serve:
   Plate it up and top with fresh herbs, lemon zest (optional), a generous drizzle of hot honey, and cracked black pepper