One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne Recipe
One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a deliciously sweet, smoky, and savory meal featuring juicy seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich honey BBQ sauce with tender penne pasta. This easy one-pan dinner is perfect for weeknights and combines comfort food flavors with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: One-pan 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
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken, season it with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, then sear for 5–6 minutes until golden on all sides and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Deglaze and Simmer Pasta: In the same skillet, pour in the water or chicken broth and bring to a simmer while scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the pan. Stir in the uncooked penne, ensuring it is evenly submerged. Cover and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Lower the heat to medium. Stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Mix until everything is evenly coated and the sauce begins to bubble, blending all the flavors together.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it thoroughly in the sauce. Let everything simmer together for another 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat. If desired, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh, bright finish. Serve hot directly from the skillet for easy cleanup and a delicious meal.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 2 months using freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- For best texture, cook the chicken and pasta separately ahead of time and combine with the sauce before serving.
- A smoky or hickory-flavored BBQ sauce works best for balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
- Fusilli, rotini, or rigatoni pasta can be substituted, adjusting cooking time as needed.
- Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Vegetarian option: substitute chicken with plant-based protein or vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Serve with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: One-pan dinner, BBQ chicken, honey BBQ sauce, penne pasta, easy weeknight meal, chicken pasta recipe, skillet dinner
