Honey BBQ Chicken Penne
Sticky, saucy, and packed with flavor, this honey BBQ chicken penne is a quick and comforting family dinner ready in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken, smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, and gooey cheese come together for a crowd-pleasing pasta bake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup honey BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small red onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced red onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add cooked, shredded chicken to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Lower the heat and add honey BBQ sauce and honey to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken. If the sauce is thick, add 2-3 tablespoons reserved pasta water. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add drained penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Add more pasta water if needed. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the pasta. Stir gently to melt, or transfer to a greased baking dish, top with cheese, and broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use rotisserie chicken for speed and juiciness. For a golden cheese crust, broil in a baking dish for 2-3 minutes. Customize with extra veggies, different cheeses, or gluten-free/dairy-free swaps. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of recipe (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: honey BBQ chicken penne, BBQ pasta, family dinner, easy pasta bake, weeknight dinner, chicken pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, cheesy pasta, rotisserie chicken recipe