Description
How to make sticky honey BBQ chicken pasta skillet with tender chicken, sweet honey glaze, and perfectly cooked pasta in one pan for easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 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
Honey BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Base and Seasonings
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to skillet with chicken. Cook 2-3 minutes until fragrant and onion starts to soften. The garlic should smell amazing.
- Make Sauce: In small bowl, whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth. This creates your sticky glaze base.
- Add Pasta: Pour uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and half the honey BBQ sauce into skillet. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered 12-15 minutes.
- Finish Cooking: Stir in heavy cream and remaining sauce. Cook uncovered 3-4 minutes until pasta is tender and sauce thickens to coat everything beautifully.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as needed. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken properly for maximum flavor development.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Substitute coconut milk for heavy cream to make dairy-free version.
- Double the sauce recipe and freeze half for quick future meals.
- Add extra red pepper flakes for more heat if desired.
- Serve immediately while sauce is hot and glossy for best presentation.
Allergy Information: Gluten, Dairy, Soy
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Protein: 32g