Description

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts and al dente penne pasta cooked together in a smoky BBQ and honey sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines sweet and tangy flavors with paprika and garlic notes for a satisfying and hearty meal all cooked in a single skillet.

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 oil and sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Deglaze skillet: In the same skillet, add water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor.
Cook pasta: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta. Cover and let simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Add sauce ingredients: Reduce the heat to low and stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until well combined.
Combine chicken and simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, mixing everything together. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld.
Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired, and serve hot straight from the skillet for a delicious, comforting meal.

Notes

Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor.
You can substitute penne pasta with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or ziti.
Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce and honey to suit your preferred sweetness and tanginess.
To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes along with the smoked paprika.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: BBQ chicken pasta, one-pan meal, easy dinner, honey BBQ chicken, penne pasta recipe, quick stovetop chicken, smoky BBQ sauce