Description
How to make one pot creamy smoky BBQ chicken pasta with tender chicken and rich sauce that’s pure comfort food in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Base
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
Flavor Builders
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup smoky BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
Creamy Base
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings & Garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then brown for 5-6 minutes until golden. Don’t worry about cooking through completely.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add onion and bell pepper to pot with chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant and aromatic.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, and chipotle powder. Cook for 1 minute to let spices bloom and create that deep, smoky base flavor.
- Cook Pasta: Add pasta and chicken broth. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.
- Create Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream, cream cheese, and cheddar. Mix gently until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth and creamy throughout.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Let stand 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. Garnish with green onions and parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken as it creates essential flavor depth throughout the dish.
- Keep heat low when adding dairy ingredients to prevent curdling and maintain smooth texture.
- Let pasta rest 2-3 minutes after cooking to absorb flavors and achieve perfect consistency.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts much better than pre-shredded varieties for smoothest sauce.
- Leftovers keep well but may need a splash of broth when reheating to restore creaminess.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 28g