Description
How to make creamy bold BBQ pepper jack chicken penne with tender chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, and melted cheese that satisfies every comfort food craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Flavor Builders
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup bold barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Creamy Base
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups pepper jack cheese, freshly grated
Seasonings & Garnish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boiling. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Build Base: Add diced onion to the same skillet and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, and barbecue sauce. Cook 2 minutes to concentrate flavors. Pour in cream and broth, stirring to combine smoothly.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce heat to low and gradually add pepper jack cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Don’t let it boil or cheese will separate.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta and chicken back to skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly, adding pasta water if needed for perfect creamy consistency.
- Finish Dish: Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh chives and green onions before serving immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Don’t let the sauce boil after adding cheese or it will separate and become grainy.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days maximum.
- Substitute rotisserie chicken to save time; add it during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Serve immediately while hot for the best creamy texture and optimal cheese consistency.
- Reserve pasta cooking water to thin sauce if needed for perfect consistency.
- Freshly grated cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties with anti-caking agents.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g