One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe
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.
- 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
