One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe
One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a delicious and easy-to-make dinner featuring tender chicken breasts seared and combined with creamy penne pasta cooked right in the skillet. The dish is flavored with a smoky BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder to create a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Garnished with fresh parsley or green onions, this meal is a flavorful, fuss-free option for a weeknight dinner.
- 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 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
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onion
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear the chicken: Add the diced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze the pan: In the same skillet, pour in water or chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Use a spoon to scrape and loosen the browned bits from the pan bottom to add flavor.
- Cook the pasta: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the sauce ingredients: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until everything is combined evenly.
- Combine chicken and simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Mix well with the pasta and sauce, allowing the flavors to blend by simmering gently for 2–3 minutes.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired to add freshness and color.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot directly from the skillet for an easy and flavorful one-pan meal.
Notes
- Using chicken broth instead of water enhances the flavor of the pasta.
- Make sure to stir the pasta occasionally to prevent sticking.
- You can substitute penne with other short pasta such as rigatoni or ziti.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: One-Pan Chicken, BBQ Chicken Pasta, Honey BBQ Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner, Skillet Dinner, Penne Pasta Recipe
