Description

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender diced chicken breasts are seared and combined with penne pasta cooked directly in the skillet, all coated in a smoky BBQ sauce sweetened with honey. The dish is easy to prepare, requires minimal cleanup, and can be garnished with fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

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: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat up until shimmering but not smoking.
Sear the chicken: Add the diced chicken breasts to the skillet, season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Deglaze the pan: In the same skillet, add the water or chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
Cook the pasta: Stir in the uncooked penne pasta. Cover the skillet and simmer for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Add the sauce ingredients: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, mixing well to combine these flavors.
Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat everything evenly. Let it simmer together for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions over the dish if desired, and serve hot directly from the pan for a hearty, flavorful meal.

Notes

Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor.
Adjust the amount of honey to control sweetness according to your preference.
For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper when seasoning the chicken.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: BBQ chicken, one-pan meal, penne pasta, honey BBQ chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken pasta