Description
How to make one pot creamy smoky BBQ chicken penne with tender pasta and bold flavors that brings comfort food vibes to your weeknight dinner table.
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
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Flavor Builders
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Creamy Elements
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and cayenne. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add Liquids: Pour in chicken broth and half the BBQ sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return chicken to pot and bring mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Cook Pasta: Add penne pasta and stir well. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes.
- Create Sauce: Remove from heat and stir in softened cream cheese until melted. Slowly add heavy cream, then fold in grated cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy throughout.
- Finish Dish: Stir in remaining BBQ sauce and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or BBQ sauce as needed. Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Don’t add cream while the pot is still on heat or it will curdle and break.
- Freshly grated cheese melts much smoother than pre-shredded varieties.
- Brown the chicken well for maximum flavor development in the final dish.
- Stir occasionally while pasta cooks to prevent sticking to the bottom.
- Taste and adjust seasoning at the end—BBQ sauces vary in saltiness.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g