Description
This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a quick and flavorful skillet meal combining tender chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s a convenient dish that layers sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze and mealtime delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Seasoning
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pasta & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Add diced chicken to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the pan: In the same skillet, pour in 1 ½ cups of water or chicken broth. Bring it to a simmer while scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add flavor.
- Add pasta and simmer: Stir in the uncooked 2 cups of penne pasta. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Prepare the sauce: Reduce the heat to low, then stir in ¾ cup of smoky BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder to create the tangy sauce coating.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir well to combine all ingredients. Let everything simmer together for another 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the dish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired, and serve hot straight from the pan.
Notes
- Using chicken broth instead of water enhances the flavor.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent sticking.
- For gluten-free option, substitute penne pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: One-Pan Meal, BBQ Chicken, Penne Pasta, Quick Dinner, Skillet Recipe, Honey BBQ Chicken
