One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne

introduction

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne is a fast, tasty skillet meal that mixes smoky BBQ, sweet honey, and tender chicken with penne pasta. This pan dinner cooks in one skillet from start to finish, so you save time on cleanup and get a full meal in under 30 minutes. If you like simple, comforting recipes, try this version—and for another one-pan BBQ pasta idea, see one-pot honey BBQ chicken mac and cheese.

why make this recipe

• Quick & easy: cooks in one skillet with simple steps.
• Minimal cleanup: one pan, less washing.
• Simple pantry ingredients: uses pasta, BBQ sauce, honey and common spices.
• Bold flavor balance: smoky BBQ plus a touch of honey for tang and sweetness.
• Crowd-pleaser: kids and adults both enjoy it for weeknights or casual dinners.

This recipe stands out because you cook the pasta right in the pan with the broth, so the pasta soaks up the sauce flavors. The result is creamy, saucy penne with chicken that stays juicy.

Ingredients :

For the chicken and pan:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the pasta and liquid:

• 2 cups penne pasta (uncooked)
• 1 ½ cups water or low-sodium chicken broth (for more flavor)

For the sauce:

• ¾ cup smoky-style BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

To finish (optional):

• Chopped parsley or sliced green onion for garnish

Notes: Use chicken broth for richer taste. If your BBQ sauce is very sweet, reduce honey to 1 tablespoon.

Directions :

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
• Pour 1 ½ cups water or broth into the same skillet and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits.
• Add dry penne, cover, and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
• Stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. Return chicken, heat 2–3 minutes to blend.
• Remove from heat, garnish if you like, and serve hot from the pan.

how to make One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne

1. Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken into small, even pieces so they cook quickly. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel—this helps them brown.
2. Heat the pan: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should shimmer but not smoke.
3. Brown the chicken: Add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Let the pieces sear without moving them for 2–3 minutes to get a golden color, then stir and cook until no longer pink (about 4–6 minutes total). Transfer chicken to a plate. Browning adds flavor.
4. Deglaze the skillet: Lower heat to medium and pour in 1 ½ cups water or chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the pan bottom—those bits add depth to the sauce. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer.
5. Cook the pasta in the pan: Add 2 cups uncooked penne to the simmering liquid. Stir so the pasta is evenly covered. Cover the skillet and let simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Cook until pasta is tender but not mushy—test a piece at 10 minutes. The pasta will absorb the liquid and taste richer.
6. Make the BBQ-honey sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in ¾ cup smoky BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix until the sauce is smooth and coats the pasta. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
7. Return the chicken: Add cooked chicken back to the skillet and fold it into the sauce and pasta. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes so flavors join.
8. Finish and serve: Taste and adjust salt or pepper. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped parsley or green onions if you like. Serve hot straight from the pan.

Tip: If your pasta sticks while simmering, add a little more liquid and stir; a heavy pan helps prevent sticking.

how to serve One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne

• Serve straight from the skillet for a casual, family-style meal.
• Add a green side like mixed salad or steamed broccoli to balance the sweet-salty sauce.
• Top with extra chopped parsley or green onion for color.
• For a cheesy finish, sprinkle a little grated cheddar or Parmesan just before serving.

how to store One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne

• Refrigerator: Cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container. Keep up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Not ideal because the pasta texture can change, but you can freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm on the stove over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Microwave in short intervals, stirring and adding a little liquid if it gets dry.

tips to make One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne

• Cut chicken small and even so it cooks fast and evenly.
• Use chicken broth instead of water for a deeper taste.
• If you like extra tang, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon when you add the BBQ sauce.
• For a crispier chicken texture, sear the chicken well before adding liquid.
• For a different method or a crispy option, try this air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders recipe to serve on the side.

variation (if any)

• Make it spicy: add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
• Make it smoky-sweet: use a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce.
• Add veggies: stir in chopped bell peppers or corn with the pasta during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Swap protein: use diced pork or cooked turkey instead of chicken.

FAQs

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes. Penne works well, but rigatoni, ziti, or shells are fine. Cooking time may change slightly—check for doneness at the package’s minimum time.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes. Use a gluten-free penne and check that your BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free. Cook time may vary; follow package instructions.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

You can freeze it, but the pasta texture may soften after freezing and reheating. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before reheating with a splash of broth.

How do I prevent the pasta from sticking while cooking in the pan?

Stir the pasta every few minutes and keep a low simmer. If it looks dry, add a little more water or broth. A heavy-bottomed skillet spreads heat evenly and helps prevent sticking.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes. Replace chicken with firm tofu or roasted mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Conclusion

This One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne gives you a quick, flavor-packed dinner with minimal cleanup—juicy chicken, saucy penne, and a sweet-tangy BBQ finish. If you want the original recipe source and more tips, see One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne – KitchenMomy. If you make this dish, please leave a comment and a star rating below, and share your photo on social media. What twist will you try next—extra spice or added veggies? Let us know!

One-Pan Tangy Honey BBQ Chicken Penne

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• Author: chef-ava
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A fast, tasty skillet meal mixing smoky BBQ, sweet honey, and tender chicken with penne pasta, all cooked in one pan for minimal cleanup.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cups penne pasta (uncooked)
• 1 ½ cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
• ¾ cup smoky-style BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Chopped parsley or sliced green onion for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
3. Pour 1 ½ cups water or broth into the same skillet and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits.
4. Add dry penne, cover, and simmer 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
5. Stir in BBQ sauce, honey, Worcestershire, and garlic powder. Return chicken, heat 2–3 minutes to blend.
6. Remove from heat, garnish if you like, and serve hot from the pan.

Notes

Use chicken broth for a richer taste. If your BBQ sauce is very sweet, reduce honey to 1 tablespoon.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 60mg