One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe
Introduction
This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a quick and flavorful meal that combines tender chicken with smoky BBQ sauce and sweet honey. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting, all-in-one dinner without the fuss.
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 and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping the pan to deglaze.
- Step 4: Stir in uncooked penne pasta. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Step 5: Reduce heat and stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Step 6: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 7: Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
- Step 8: Serve hot directly from the skillet.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor in the pasta.
- Try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Substitute penne with rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
- For a creamy twist, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a handful of shredded cheese before serving.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or 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 to ensure even cooking and safety. If using frozen, thaw completely before dicing and cooking.
What type of BBQ sauce works best?
A smoky BBQ sauce complements the smoked paprika and honey well, but feel free to use your favorite variety, whether sweet, spicy, or tangy.
PrintOne-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe
A delicious and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with smoky honey BBQ sauce and penne pasta, all simmered together in a skillet for a flavorful and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
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 for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil and cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, and sear until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the 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 to release any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Cook pasta: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta. Cover the skillet and let the pasta simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add sauce ingredients: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat and stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, mixing thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Combine chicken and simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well with the sauced pasta. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish 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 of the pasta.
- For extra smoky flavor, use a smoky BBQ sauce variety.
- Adjust the honey quantity to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- Make sure to stir occasionally when simmering pasta to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Garnishes like parsley or green onion add freshness and color but can be omitted if preferred.
Keywords: One-pan meal, honey BBQ chicken, penne pasta, quick dinner, easy skillet recipe
