Honey BBQ Chicken Penne
This Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a quick, comforting pasta dish featuring juicy chicken, a sweet-smoky honey BBQ sauce, and creamy penne pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a family-friendly weeknight dinner that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta, uncooked
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 lb), boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (smoky or hickory recommended)
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions until just al dente (about 9–11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and sauté for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in honey, BBQ sauce, chicken broth, and smoked paprika (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Pour in heavy cream and add shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Add drained penne pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat with the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley or chives, and serve hot.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and check your BBQ sauce. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and use dairy-free cheese or omit cheese. Add veggies like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition. If using rotisserie chicken, add it after the garlic step. Save some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (approx. 2 cups)
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: honey bbq chicken penne, bbq chicken pasta, easy comfort dinner, 30 minute pasta, family dinner, creamy bbq pasta, weeknight meal