Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil and cook penne pasta until al dente; drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Season chicken cubes with kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of the coarsely ground black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached and surfaces are golden brown; remove chicken and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium; add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and sauté for 60 seconds until fragrant.
Deglaze the skillet with soy sauce, then whisk in honey and the remaining 1 tablespoon of black pepper, simmering for 3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
Incorporate the heavy cream into the glaze, whisking constantly until the sauce achieves a uniform consistency and coats the back of a spoon.
Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet, tossing thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the sauce.
Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust viscosity, then fold in Parmesan cheese and garnish with chopped parsley before service.