Description
How to make one pot honey garlic BBQ chicken pasta with tender chicken, smoky BBQ sauce and aromatic garlic that creates the perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and 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
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Liquid and Seasonings
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Finishing Touches
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown on most sides. Don’t worry about cooking through completely – it’ll finish later.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to the pot and cook 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
- Build Sauce: Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Pour over chicken and onions, stirring to coat everything in that glossy, golden mixture.
- Add Pasta: Pour in chicken broth, then add pasta, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid for even cooking.
- Simmer Together: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened to coat everything beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let stand 3-4 minutes to thicken further. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with green onions, parsley, and Parmesan before serving warm.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the garlic or it will become bitter and ruin the sauce.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Substitute maple syrup for honey if preferred, using the same amount.
- Add frozen peas or broccoli in the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra vegetables.
- Double the recipe easily for meal prep or feeding a larger crowd.
- Let rest 3-4 minutes after cooking for sauce to thicken perfectly.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Dairy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 32g