Introduction

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken and smoky BBQ sauce blend beautifully with pasta in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze.

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, and sear until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet 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 lift any browned bits.
Step 4: Stir in uncooked penne pasta. Cover the skillet and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
Step 5: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce heat to low and stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until well combined.
Step 6: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors.
Step 7: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Step 8: Serve the dish hot directly from the skillet for an easy, comforting meal.

Tips & Variations

For extra smoky flavor, use a chipotle BBQ sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Swap penne for rigatoni or fusilli to change the pasta shape without altering cooking time.
Add sautéed bell peppers or onions along with the chicken for extra veggies.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels in the dish.

Storage

Store leftover chicken penne 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 if the sauce has thickened too much.

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 to ensure even cooking and food safety. If using frozen chicken, thaw completely before dicing and cooking.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can omit the chicken and add vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or chickpeas instead. Use vegetable broth rather than chicken broth to keep it vegetarian.

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe

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4.7 from 98 reviews

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner dish featuring tender chicken and penne pasta simmered in a flavorful smoky BBQ sauce with a hint of honey. This one-skillet recipe combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors for a comforting and quick meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Seasonings

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 the diced chicken to the skillet and season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Deglaze the pan: In the same skillet, pour in the water or chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer while scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits for extra flavor.
Cook the pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta to the simmering liquid. Cover the skillet and cook the pasta for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Add the sauces and seasoning: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until the mixture is well combined.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together thoroughly. Allow the skillet to simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes to blend the flavors and warm through.
Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired and serve hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

For extra flavor, use chicken broth instead of water to cook the pasta.
Smoky BBQ sauce works best to complement the smoked paprika seasoning.
You can substitute penne pasta with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli.
Make sure to stir occasionally when cooking pasta to avoid sticking to the skillet.
Garnishing with fresh herbs adds freshness and a pop of color but is optional.
This recipe can be doubled for larger servings but use a larger skillet or pan to cook the ingredients evenly.

Keywords: Honey BBQ chicken, one-pan meal, penne pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, smoky BBQ chicken, quick chicken pasta