Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a delicious and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a sweet and smoky honey barbecue sauce, combined with perfectly cooked penne pasta. This dish is easy to make and brings bold, balanced flavors to your dinner table.
You’ll love this recipe because it combines the smoky tang of BBQ sauce with the sweetness of honey, complemented by spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder. Cooking the pasta right in the sauce allows the noodles to soak up all the rich flavors, creating a creamy, saucy dish that’s both hearty and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 1 cup honey barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
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Pour in chicken broth, honey barbecue sauce, and soy sauce if using. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Add uncooked penne pasta, submerging it in the sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce thickens, about 12-15 minutes.
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Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or smoked paprika if desired. Remove from heat.
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Garnish with chopped parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, or shredded cheese as desired. Serve warm directly from the pan.
Tips for Success
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Use boneless, skinless chicken for quicker cooking.
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Stir pasta frequently during cooking to prevent sticking.
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Adjust honey or BBQ sauce proportion for sweetness/tang.
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Cover pan while cooking pasta to trap steam and cook evenly.
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Add cheese last for melty, creamy texture.
Delicious Variations
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Substitute chicken with shrimp or turkey for variety.
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Add sautéed bell peppers or onions for extra veggies.
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Use spicy BBQ sauce or add hot sauce for more heat.
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Stir in fresh herbs like cilantro or basil before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotini or other pasta shapes?
Yes, any short pasta like rotini, fusilli, or rigatoni works well.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pasta and ensure BBQ sauce is gluten-free.
How to store leftovers?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Can I reheat the dish?
Yes, reheat gently on stove or microwave; add a splash of broth if dry.
Is this recipe spicy?
It’s mild but you can increase heat by adding chili flakes or spicy BBQ sauce.
Honey BBQ Chicken Penne
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Flavorful one-pan pasta with tender chicken in sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce. The sauce infuses the penne as it cooks, creating a creamy, saucy dish packed with rich barbecue taste. Quick and deeply satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
8 oz uncooked penne pasta
1 cup honey barbecue sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp soy sauce (optional)
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings
Chopped parsley
Crushed red pepper flakes
Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Sear chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium‑high heat. Add diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Cook 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
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Add sauce: Stir in chicken broth, honey barbecue sauce, and soy sauce if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.
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Cook pasta: Add uncooked penne, ensuring it’s submerged in the sauce. Cover and cook over medium heat about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.
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Adjust seasoning: Taste and add extra salt, pepper, or smoked paprika if needed.
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Finish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with parsley, chili flakes, or shredded cheese as desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Use boneless chicken for quick, even cooking.
Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking.
Adjust honey or BBQ sauce to balance sweetness and tang.
Cover skillet to trap steam and cook pasta evenly.
Add cheese at the end for smooth melty finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Skillet, One-Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 820
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 95
Keywords: honey bbq chicken pasta, one pan bbq chicken penne, creamy bbq chicken dinner, easy chicken pasta skillet, family pasta recipe
