Introduction

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a flavorful, easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all in one skillet, it promises minimal cleanup with maximum taste.

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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: chopped parsley or green onion for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until golden and cooked through, then remove and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping the pan to deglaze and loosen any browned bits.
Step 4: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Step 5: Reduce the heat and stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
Step 6: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Step 8: Serve hot directly from the skillet for a comforting, mess-free dinner.

Tips & Variations

Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
Swap penne with other short pasta like rigatoni or rotini.
For extra veggies, stir in baby spinach or diced bell peppers during the last few minutes of cooking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking. If using frozen chicken, make sure to thaw completely before dicing and cooking.

Is this dish gluten-free?

This recipe uses regular penne pasta, which contains gluten. For a gluten-free version, substitute with gluten-free pasta varieties.

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe

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4.4 from 97 reviews

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a flavorful, easy-to-make dinner dish that combines tender chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. Prepared all in one skillet, it’s a convenient meal bursting with sweet and tangy flavors, ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Author: Marco
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

Garnish (Optional)

Chopped parsley or green onion

Instructions

Heat the oil: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
Cook the chicken: Add diced chicken to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear the chicken until it turns golden brown and is cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Deglaze the pan: Pour water or chicken broth into the same skillet and bring it to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift any flavorful browned bits.
Cook the pasta: Stir uncooked penne pasta into the simmering liquid. Cover the skillet and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Make the sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until well combined with the pasta.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and mix thoroughly with the pasta and sauce. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Optionally, sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions on top for a fresh garnish.
Serve: Serve hot directly from the skillet for a comforting one-pan meal experience.

Notes

Using chicken broth instead of water adds extra flavor to the pasta.
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes when seasoning the chicken.
Can substitute penne with other short pasta like rigatoni or ziti.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: One-Pan Chicken Penne, BBQ Chicken Pasta, Easy Skillet Dinner, Honey BBQ Chicken Recipe