Introduction

This one-pan tangy honey BBQ chicken penne is a quick and flavorful dinner that combines tender chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all in one skillet. It’s an easy meal that comes together with minimal cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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 the chicken 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 the uncooked penne pasta. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Reduce the heat 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 well. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Step 8: Serve hot directly from the skillet for a comforting, effortless meal.

Tips & Variations

For added veggies, toss in some bell peppers or spinach during the pasta cooking stage for a boost of color and nutrition.
Use chicken broth instead of water to deepen the flavor of the pasta.
Substitute penne with rigatoni or fusilli for a different pasta texture.
Adjust the amount of honey to your liking for more or less sweetness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if necessary.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, diced boneless chicken thighs work well and add extra juiciness. Just adjust the cooking time until the chicken is fully cooked.

Is it necessary to deglaze the pan before adding pasta?

Deglazing lifts the flavorful browned bits from the chicken that stick to the pan, enhancing the taste of the dish. It also helps prevent the pasta from sticking as it cooks.

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe

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4.6 from 737 reviews

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner that combines tender seared chicken and perfectly cooked penne pasta in a flavorful smoky BBQ sauce with a hint of sweetness from honey. Prepared entirely in one skillet, it’s a convenient and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Author: Ella
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

Optional Garnish

Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish

Instructions

Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Cook the chicken: Add the diced chicken to the skillet, season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Sear the chicken pieces until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Deglaze the pan: Pour 1 ½ cups of water or chicken broth into the same skillet and bring it to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits.
Cook the pasta: Stir in 2 cups of uncooked penne pasta. Cover and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Prepare the sauce: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in ¾ cup smoky BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder until combined.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix it well with the pasta and sauce. Let it simmer together for 2 to 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 the dish hot straight from the pan.

Notes

You can substitute chicken broth for water to add more flavor to the pasta.
Using smoky BBQ sauce enhances the depth of flavor, but any favorite BBQ sauce can be used.
If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes during step 5.
Make sure to stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
This recipe serves well as leftovers and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

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