One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe
A delicious and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with smoky BBQ sauce, honey, and spices, combined with perfectly simmered penne pasta for a tangy and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pasta and Sauce
- 2 cups penne pasta (uncooked)
- 1 ½ cups water or chicken broth
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce (preferably smoky variety)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook the chicken: Add diced chicken to the skillet, season with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, then sear for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in water or chicken broth into the same skillet, scraping the bottom to lift any browned bits and bring to a simmer.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta, cover the skillet, and simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add sauce ingredients: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until fully combined.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, mixing thoroughly to coat the chicken pieces with the sauce. Let simmer together for 2–3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired, and serve hot directly from the pan.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes when seasoning the chicken.
- Using chicken broth instead of water enhances the flavor of the pasta.
- Ensure you stir occasionally while simmering the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keywords: BBQ chicken pasta, one-pan meal, honey BBQ chicken, easy weeknight dinner, penne pasta recipe
